Another 200 migrants arrive in Dover after five inflatable dinghies are intercepted in the Channel and escorted to UK
Another 200 migrants are believed to have arrived in Dover today after five inflatable dinghies were intercepted in the Channel and escorted to the UK.
The dinghies – which hold between 40 and 50 people on average – were escorted into Dover, Kent, by Border Force officials and the RNLI.
The first three groups of migrants were brought into the harbour early this morning amid calm weather conditions – with low winds and clear skies forecast for today.
A fourth dingy was escorted into the harbour on Border Force cutter Typhoon at around 11.30am. The mostly male group could be seen wearing orange lifejackets, with white blankets draped over their shoulders as they left the boat.
The latest arrivals were rescued by an RNLI lifeboat and brought into the port shortly before midday.
Another 200 migrants are believed to have arrived in Dover today after five inflatable dinghies were intercepted in the Channel and escorted to the UK
The number of migrants crossing the channel on small boats rocketed in 2022. This year the figure has already surpassed 9,000
Border Force currently has several vessels out in the Channel. Its vessel Ranger (pictured) is off the coast of St Margaret-at-Cliffe near Dover
Border Force currently has several vessels out in the Channel – suggesting more migrants might attempt the perilous crossing later today.
The agency’s cutter Hurricane is patrolling between Dungeness, Kent and Boulogne, northern France – alongside the French rescue ship Abeille Normandie.
Border Force vessel Ranger is off the coast of St Margaret-at-Cliffe near Dover, while cutter Typhoon is further east near Walmer.
It comes after 172 migrants, dangerously crammed into just three dinghies, were picked up on Thursday – with an average of 57 people in each inflatable.
According to official government figures, 1,669 asylum seekers have made the treacherous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits so far in June.
According to official government figures, 1,669 asylum seekers have made the treacherous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits so far in June
172 migrants, dangerously crammed into just three dinghies, were picked up on Thursday – with an average of 57 people in each inflatable
Border Force has several vessels out in the Channel, suggesting more migrants might attempt the perilous crossing later today
This brings the total number of Channel crossings so far this year to 9,328 in 211 boats – an average of 44 people per vessel.
The busiest day to date in 2023 came on Sunday (June 11) when 549 people reached the UK in a 24-hour period.
Last year, a record 45,755 migrants arrived in the country by inflatable dinghy or other small craft – 60 per cent higher than 2021, which saw 28,526 crossings.
