Church leaders have spoken of their sorrow after 39 people were found dead inside a container lorry in Essex on Wednesday. 

A man from County Armagh, understood to be the lorry driver, was arrested on suspicion of murder after the horrific discovery inside the refrigeration unit, which had arrived at Purfleet on the River Thames from Zeebrugge, Belgium. 

The victims included one teenager.

On Twitter, the Bishop of Chelmsford, Stephen Cottrell, whose diocese covers Essex, said the news was "very distressing".  He asked people to "please pray for them, their families, those who found them and all whose lives are convulsed by these events."

The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, said she felt "such sorrow" over the tragedy. 

"Prayers for their families and friends and all those who found them," she wrote. 

Sarah Teather, Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, said that the news was "devastating" but warned that it could happen again unless there was a change in approach to immigration.

"As long as we build walls to keep people out rather than safe and legal routes to seek sanctuary, people will risk their lives with criminal gangs in desperation, with tragic consequences," she said. 

James Henderson, Senior Development Worker at Transforming Communities Together, said: "We are heartbroken to hear about these tragic deaths. These are all precious human beings, who are made in God's image.

"Organised crime groups lie behind both trafficking and smuggling. Both prey on a person's vulnerabilities for selfish gain.

"Churches in the UK and across the globe are doing fantastic work to support people with vulnerabilities. Organisations such as The Clewer Initiative have great free resources to help our communities become aware of these important issues and work towards becoming slavery free."

Catholic Bishop of Portsmouth, Philip Egan, said he was "deeply saddened and shocked" by the deaths, and that he was praying for "much consolation to their loved ones". 

The lorry was parked at Waterglade Industrial Park in Grays when ambulance staff made the discovery. 

Essex Police are still questioning the suspect, while officers from the Police Service of Northern Ireland have carried out raids at two houses.  Belgian police are also investigating. 

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday night, Deputy Chief Constable of Essex Police Pippa Mills said that the lorry had been taken to a secure site at Tilbury Docks so that the bodies could be "recovered while preserving the dignity of the victims".

The victims are all believed to be Chinese nationals. The Salvation Army's head of anti-trafficking and modern slavery, Major Kathy Betteridge, said that the most vulnerable people were being targeted by people traffickers.

"We are extremely saddened but unfortunately not surprised by the events in Essex," she said.

"As police continue to establish the true nature of the situation this is a shocking reminder that lives are lost at the hands of perpetrators buying, transporting and selling people for their own gain. The exploitation of people in modern slavery is an horrific crime.

"Often the most vulnerable people in society are targeted and The Salvation Army urges the public to be vigilant – help is available for those who need it." 

The Salvation Army said China was the third most common country of origin for victims of modern slavery who received specialist support from the church and charity.  In a report, it said there had been a 429% increase in Chinese nationals entering its modern slavery services in the last five years.

The church of St Peter & St Paul, in Grays town centre, opened its doors yesterday for people in the local community to have a space to pray or reflect in the wake of the tragedy.  It was opening its doors again from 12pm to 2pm on Thursday. 

The President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference have issued a prayer for the people who died:

A prayer from the President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference

for unknown people who have died in a lorry

for unknown suffering to family and friends

we pray with heartbreak and sorrow

because

we know this should never happen

we know that behind the headlines there is an unheard story of despair

we know that we have overlooked things we should have seen

we know that as individuals and a society we need to change

for God's sake

bring us to our knees in contrition

and to our feet with outrage

Amen

If you think you are a victim or come into contact with someone you suspect may be a victim of slavery, contact The Salvation Army's 24/7 confidential referral line on 0300 303 8151. If there is immediate danger contact the police.