Suspected migrants on boat intercepted off Dover coast
Written by News on 23/08/2019
Eleven suspected migrants aboard a small boat are believed to have been intercepted by the Border Force at Dover.
Sky News captured pictures of the incident this morning and has contacted the Home Office for comment.
It comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel prepares to hold talks with her French counterpart after dozens of migrants were rescued while trying to cross the Channel on Thursday.
In four separate events along the south coast, the Border Force dealt with a total of 37 people, including six children, who tried to reach the UK in small boats.
The Home Office confirmed they were taken to Dover in Kent.
Another incident off the Sussex coast reportedly involved more than 20 others, although the Home Office has not yet confirmed details.
In a statement, a spokeswoman said crossing the Channel in a small boat is a “huge risk” and “the criminal gangs who perpetuate this are ruthless and do not care about loss of life”.
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At 2.30am on Thursday, the Border Force was alerted to a small boat travelling across the Channel towards the UK coast, with group of eight men and one woman – who all said they were Iranian – found and taken to Dover.
At 5am, another small boat was intercepted and a group of 11 males were also taken to the Kent town.
The second group, including two who said they were children, presented themselves as nationals of Iran, Guinea, Kuwait and the Ivory Coast.
(c) Sky News 2019: Suspected migrants on boat intercepted off Dover coast
