More than 500 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK in 10 dinghies yesterday despite thunderstorms – taking the total number to 37,493 so far this year
- Border Force officers intercepted 528 migrants who had made risky journey
- First crossings since last Tuesday due to windy and choppy conditions at sea
- Yesterday’s figures take the total number so far this year to 37,493 – in 921 boats
- MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, has described the situation as ‘truly shocking’
Hundreds of migrants were intercepted by Border Force officers after crossing the English Channel in small boats yesterday amid thunderstorms and strong winds.
While almost a month’s worth of rain battered parts of southern England, 528 people people were detained after making the treacherous voyage to Dover, according to official Ministry of Defence figures.
This takes the total number so far this year past 37,400.
The latest arrivals are the first to make the perilous journey in almost a week after wet weather and choppy conditions at sea put a temporary pause on Channel crossings.
But despite stormy conditions yesterday, 10 dinghies were picked up by Border Force and RNLI boats.
There is understood to have been one uncontrolled landing, according to the MoD, which is thought to have been at Samphire Hoe between Dover and Folkestone in Kent.
French authorities also rescued 62 people, who were crammed into one dinghy off the Calais coast, after they got into difficulty as they tried head to the Kent coast in the early hours yesterday.
The French Navy’s support vessel Rhône was dispatched to pick up the stranded group. The ship brought them into the port at Calais where they have been taken into the care of medics to be checked over.
According to official data released by the MoD, a total of 37,493 migrants have made the treacherous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits so far this year – 4,492 of those have arrived in October alone.
But despite stormy conditions yesterday, 10 dinghies carrying 528 migrants were picked up by Border Force and RNLI boats. (Stock image)
This year’s figures have already surpassed the total for 2021 which saw 28,526 people cross the Channel by small boat, and 2020 when just 8,410 asylum seekers arrived in the UK.
MP for Dover, Natalie Elphicke, has described the situation as ‘truly shocking’.
She said: ‘Alongside the brazen criminality of the people smugglers, it beggars belief that there is a free public bus from the migrant camps to the beach departure points.
‘It’s little wonder we are seeing record breaking arrivals coming through the illegal small boats crossings route.’
Source: Read Full Article
