LONDON, Oct. 23 (CGTN) -- The UK police launched a multiple murder probe after 39 dead bodies were discovered inside a lorry container in Essex in the early hours of Wednesday.

Emergency services arrived shortly before 1:40am (local time) at the Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays, where the bodies of 38 adults and one teenager were retrieved.

The lorry driver, a 25-year-old-man from Northern Ireland, has been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A cordon has been put in place and access to and from the industrial park remains closed.

Chief Superintendent of Essex Police, Andrew Mariner said: "This is a tragic incident where a large number of people have lost their lives. Our enquiries are ongoing to establish what has happened.

"We are in the process of identifying the victims, however I anticipate that this could be a lengthy process.

"We believe the lorry is from Bulgaria and entered the country at Holyhead (Wales) on Saturday 19 October and we are working closely with our partners to investigate."