A man has died after more than 30 people - including children - were found in a shipping container at Tilbury Docks in Essex, police say.

Two people have been taken to hospital while others with "significant health problems" are being treated by ambulance crews.

The discovery was made earlier today when the ship, which had arrived from Zeebrugge, Belgium, was being unloaded.

Essex Police has launched an investigation.

The East of England Ambulance Service said two people were being treated at Basildon Hospital and assessments of other patients were still being made at the scene.

A spokeswoman said: "Our initial priority is to assess the level and nature of any injuries, and ensure that those people in most need are treated first and taken to hospital."

In a statement, Essex Police said: "One man has sadly died and the others have significant health problems. They are being treated by ambulance crews and are being taken to local hospitals."

On its website, the hospital said that its accident and emergency department was "responding to a major incident."