On November 30, the remaining 23 Vietnamese migrants who lost their lives in a refrigerated truck in Essex, the UK arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has announced.

The bodies handed over to local authorities. Photo: MOFA

The bodies and remains of the decreased are en route to their hometowns, marking the complete repatriation after more than a month since the victims were found dead on October 23.

Both bodies and ashes were repatriated this time. Photo: MOFA

On November 27, 16 bodies were repatriated home.

The victims include 31 men and 8 women whose ages ranged from 15 to 44.

Authorities classify remains. Photo: MOFA

The repatriation completes thank to the cooperation between Vietnamese and British authorities together with the support of Vietnam Airlines, the MOFA said in a statement Saturday.

The identification, citizen protection, and repatriation have been conducted in line with Vietnamese and international law as well as customs of both Vietnam and the UK.

The remains and bodies en route home. Photo: MOFA

On November 20, Pope Francis offered prayers for 39 Vietnamese migrants and strongly protested human trafficking.

“Finally, together with you, I entrust to the Lord, the merciful father, the 39 Vietnamese migrants who died in England last month. It was heartbreaking; let us all pray for them,” the pope said in a video message released November 20 by the Vatican.

The pope said in Vietnamese culture, the word “home” includes “everything that is most dear in the hearts of a person, not only family and relatives but also one’s birthplace and homeland.”