One person dead and two lost in Channel incident involving suspected small migrant boat
One person has died and two people are still lost following an incident in the Channel involving a suspected small migrant boat.
Border Force vessels from Dover have been assisting the French authorities this afternoon (Wednesday 28 February).
It's understood a migrant boat with multiple people on board got into trouble on the Calais-side of the Varne Bank.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We can confirm there has been an incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters.
“French authorities are leading the response and investigation.
"We will not be commenting further at this stage.”
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “Our thoughts go out to the families of those affected by the tragic loss of life in the English Channel this afternoon and to all those who valiantly answered the distress call.
“This is yet another avoidable human tragedy.
“Men, women and children from countries such as Afghanistan are risking their lives in the Channel as a direct consequence of safe routes being so limited and ineffective.
“There will be more deaths unless the Government rethinks its approach.
“Instead of the unlawful and costly Rwanda plan, we need a plan to provide sanctuary for those fleeing persecution, violence and torture without having to take dangerous journeys by expanding options for family reunion, introducing refugee visas and putting in place an agreement with the French government to give people a fair hearing and treat them with dignity and humanity.”
Home Secretary James Cleverly was in the US this week where he made a speech focused on tackling unauthorised migration.
During the address in New York, the Conservative Cabinet minister said the UK’s goodwill towards migrants was “not a bottomless font” as he argued wealthy nations must help developing ones avoid “haemorrhaging” people.
Figures show that more than 2,000 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the English Channel.
Home Office figures reveal 290 people made the journey in five boats on Sunday, suggesting an average of around 58 people per boat.
This is the highest number of people making the crossing in a single day for more than a month, after 358 people were recorded on January 17.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made stopping the boats one of his top five pledges to the electorate in January last year.
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