Border Force operation picked up migrants from six vessels in near-freezing weather

This article is more than 7 months old

This article is more than 7 months old

Ninety people aboard six inflatable boats, including 15 children, have been intercepted by UK authorities attempting to cross the Channel in one day, the Home Office has confirmed.

The total of those picked up on Thursday in a huge search and rescue operation involving the coastguard helicopter along the Kent coast is thought to be the most ever in a single day, despite repeated warnings about the dangers of making the trip in a small boat.

Women and children were treated by emergency services at Port of Dover after crossing the busy shipping lanes in near-freezing conditions.

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Dover MP Natalie Elphicke said a “fresh approach” was needed and that migrants should be returned to France regardless of where they were intercepted.

In one incident, at around 2.15am, a Border Force vessel intercepted an inflatable rib boat carrying five men. They said they were from Senegal, Mali and Guinea.

In the second incident, also at around 2.15am, a Border Force vessel intercepted a small boat carrying a group of 21 males who said they were from Syria, Yemen and Egypt.

In the third incident, at around 7.40am, a Border Force vessel intercepted a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), which was carrying a group of 12 men and women who presented themselves as Iranian and Iraqi nationals.

Three further RHIBs were also intercepted in later incidents and a total of 42 people were detained.

Meanwhile, at around 9.20am, Border Force officers detained a group of five people near Shakespeare Beach near Dover who said they were from Iraq and Yemen.

At around 11.20am, Kent police officers detained five suspected illegal migrants in Dover town centre.

The French authorities responded to more migrant crossing attempts, detaining a number of people.

Temperatures at the Port of Dover on Thursday morning were as low as 2C.