Three people have died after a migrant boat got into serious difficulties in the freezing Channel in the early hours of this morning.
Emergency calls reporting the vessel was in distress were received by the UK coastguard shortly before 3am.
It is the first known major rescue operation launched in the Channel since at least 27 migrants are known to have perished after their dinghy began to take on water in November 2021.
LBC are reporting 43 people have been rescued alive from the disaster but are fighting for their lives in hospital.
The Marine Traffic radar website showed a cluster of vessels in the channel between Lydd in Kent and the Cap Gris Nez in France.
Sources involved in the search-and-rescue operation said there were ‘fatalities’ and that ‘victims were being airlifted’ from the sea.
This tragic crossing was the first since Sunday as sub zero temperatures gripped the south east and came a day after Prime minister unveiled a new five-point plan to tackle illegal immigration that specifically targets people arriving from Albania.
Rishi Sunak told the Commons on Tuesday that ‘enough is enough’ and that the system is ‘not fair’.
Forensic tents erected at the RNLI station at the Port of Dover following a large search and rescue operation launched in the Channel off the coast of Dungeness
RNLI Shore Crew await as RNLI Morrell returns from helping rescue migrants crossing the English Channel
‘The operation started just before 4am,’ said a French source.
‘It is believed that there have been fatalities. Helicopters from Britain and France are carrying out airlifts.’
The inflatable boat is believed to have capsized some five miles off Dungeness, forcing more than 40 people into the icy sea, where survival times would be extremely low.
A spokesman for the Channel Maritime Prefecture in France said that the French Navy and a ‘a fishing vessel in the area is also assisting in the rescue.’
The UK coastguard was called to a boat in distress just before 3am this morning in the Channel
Huge rescue operation is launched after migrant boat carrying more than 30 people capsized in freezing cold English Channel. The circle is one of the RNLI rescue boats
Ambulance and emergency crews seen in Dover awaiting arrival of any more rescued migrants
Three migrants who arrived in Kent on December 9 after they were rescued by the RNLI
He said that the boat set off from coast of northern France in the early hours of Wednesday.
Weather conditions were said to be ‘extremely cold,’ despite calm sea conditions.
As well as an HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter vessels at the scene include two RNLI lifeboats from Ramsgate and Rye, the Royal Navy patrol boat HMS Severn, a French coastguard patrol boat Kermorvan as well as two fishing vessels.
GB News was reporting this morning Ashford hospital in Kent had been told to clear the A&E ahead of ‘multiple casualties.’
An ambulance was seen to pull up at Dover Harbour close to where migrants are usually brought ashore at the former jetfoil terminal around 7.40am.
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke said she was ‘very saddened to hear that lives are feared to have been lost following a small boat tragedy in the English Channel’.
It is understood the alarm was raised in the early hours after the dinghy carrying a group of migrants began to sink mid-Channel in freezing waters, according to unconfirmed reports from BBC News and it is feared there have been a number of fatalities.
A French SAR helicopter is also involved in the operation along with the Kent and Sussex Air Ambulance.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said this morning: ‘HM Coastguard is currently coordinating a search and rescue response to an incident involving a small boat off Kent, working with the Navy, Border Force, Kent Police and other partners.
‘We have sent Dover, Dungeness, Hastings and Ramsgate RNLI lifeboats and Deal, Dungeness and Folkestone coastguard rescue teams, along with the coastguard area commander.
‘HM Coastguard helicopters from Lydd and Lee on Solent and one from the French Navy are involved. A fishing vessel in the area is also assisting in the rescue. South East Coast Ambulance and Kent Police are working with us and an air ambulance has been sent.
‘The incident is ongoing and we have no further information.
‘HM Coastguard will continue to safeguard life around the seas and coastal areas of the UK, working with search and rescue resources in the area. If a vessel needs search and rescue assistance, HM Coastguard will continue to respond to all those in need.’
News of the rescue operation will prompt fears someone could be seriously hurt or worse.
The worst drowning of migrants crossing the Channel happened on the night of November 24, 2021.
A rubber dingy carrying carrying 34 people sank after repeated calls for help to rescue services on both sides of the Channel.
In July it was reported a preliminary investigation, carried out by a law firm on behalf of some of the relatives, uncovered communications between the British and French emergency services which suggests neither side took responsibility for the unfolding disaster.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman MP tweeted today: ‘I am aware of a distressing incident in the Channel this morning and I am being kept constantly updated while agencies respond and urgently establish the full facts.
‘My heartfelt thoughts are with all those involved.’
A UK Government spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of an incident in UK waters and all relevant agencies are supporting a coordinated response. Further details will be provided in due course.’
Sky News were reporting between 30-50 people may have been on board the dinghy at the time of the incident but this has not yet been confirmed.
