The Dutch insurance company AXA Nederland paid out nearly 600,000 euros to the families of 58 Chinese immigrants who were killed on their way to England four years ago, Radio Netherlands reported on Friday.

On June 17, 2000, 60 Chinese immigrants tried to reach Dover of England by hiding in a Dutch lorry, but 58 of them were suffocated to death. The lorry's owner had an insurance policy with AXA.

A spokesperson for the company was quoted by the radio as saying that they were able to come to a quick agreement with families' lawyer on the amount of the compensation.

Both parties wanted to avoid lengthy legal proceedings, the radio said.