Four Polish nationals have been arrested after the discovery of 15 children and 53 adults on lorries during a port search.
The lorry drivers were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration, after the vehicles arrived from Holland.
The stowaways - 35 Afghan nationals, 22 Chinese nationals, 10 people from Vietnam and one Russian - were discovered at Harwich International Port after a search by Border Force officials.
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We can confirm Border Force officers discovered 53 adults and 15 children during a proactive search of four lorries which had arrived at Harwich port from Holland on Thursday evening.
"Seven of those discovered were taken to hospital as a precaution, before being released. All 68 individuals are now in the care of Border Force.
"Four Polish nationals, who were driving the vehicles, have been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration. They have been taken to separate police stations and will now be questioned by the Home Office's criminal investigations team while inquiries continue."