A search and rescue operation is taking place off the Kent coast, where according to Sky News up to 50 migrants have been spotted in boats.
HM Coastguard said it is responding to “a number of incidents off Kent”.
This has not been confirmed by authorities.
A spokesperson for the Coastguard said the agency is “only concerned with preservation of life, rescuing those in trouble and bringing them safely back to shore, where they will be handed over to the relevant partner emergency services or authorities”.
The Border Force and police are also involved.
Another boat carrying 11 migrants, including two teenagers, was rescued off the coast of Boulogne by French authorities in the early hours of this morning after it flipped over.
The migrants managed to phone authorities and some were found clinging to the boat’s hull, while others were in the water.
This follows the detention of almost 40 migrants who crossed the Channel last weekend.
The migrants said they were Iranian and Iraqi nationals and were interviewed by immigration officials.
At the time, the Home Office said: “Anyone crossing the Channel in a small boat is taking a huge risk with their life and the lives of their children.
“Since December, two cutters have returned to UK waters from overseas operations, we have agreed a joint action plan with France and increased activity out of the Joint Coordination and Information Centre in Calais.
“It is an established principle that those in need of protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach and since January more than 50 people who arrived illegally in the UK on small boats have been returned to Europe.”
This comes as local volunteer groups are growing around the Kent Coast to monitor what is really going on. Tonight’s UNN Live Show will be with Elaine Renton of The South East Council Defence Force. Please click below and SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel and hit the bell to never miss real news.
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Unity News Network (UNN) Staff Writer | To find out more details about our staff, please head to the About Us section on our website.
