A man has appeared in court at an extradition hearing linked to a people-smuggling operation that led to the deaths of 39 migrants.

De Zich Noemende Tai, from Vietnam, who also goes by the name Hung Sy Truong, is accused of being one of the taxi drivers who dropped off migrants on the continent shortly before 39 Vietnamese men, women and children were found dead in the back of a lorry in Purfleet on October 22 2019.

Westminster Magistrates' Court in London heard he is suspected of having been involved in transporting at least 10 of the 39 found dead, moving them from a safe house in Anderlecht, Brussels, in taxis to a location near the French/Belgian border before they were put onto the lorry, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA).

After hearing the migrants had died, it is alleged he fled Belgium and initially went to Germany before moving to the UK.

The suspect, who was located by NCA officers at an address in the Redditch area of Worcestershire, was apprehended on the evening of December 15 2020 on a European Arrest Warrant issued by a Belgian investigating judge.

He spoke through an interpreter at the court on Wednesday afternoon via video link from HMP Wandsworth and gave only his name and alleged date of birth.

The defendant gave his age as 17 but there is a dispute over its accuracy, with previously recorded dates ranging from February 15 2003 to the same date in 1992.

Reporting restrictions were initially in place prohibiting his name being mentioned, but District Judge McGarva told reporters they have a "free hand" in identifying him as the order had expired.

Mr McGarva adjourned proceedings until February 8.

De Zich Noemende Tai was denied bail and was remanded in custody ahead of a final hearing on March 12 to determine whether he should be extradited to Belgium.

Eight people have been convicted in Britain over their role in the people-smuggling operation, including four men who are facing possible life sentences for manslaughter and will appear next at the Old Bailey on January 22.