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Twenty people rescued from English Channel after inflatable boat starts to sink Two children among 20 people rescued from sinking inflatable boat in English Channel
(about 2 hours later)
Twenty people have been rescued by the UK Coastguard from a sinking inflatable boat in the English Channel. Two children were among the twenty people rescued by the UK Coastguard from a sinking inflatable boat in the English Channel.
Of those rescued, 18 were Albanian and two were British.Of those rescued, 18 were Albanian and two were British.
The UK Coastguard received a call for assistance from the boat just off the Kent coast near Dymbchurch around 11.40pm.The UK Coastguard received a call for assistance from the boat just off the Kent coast near Dymbchurch around 11.40pm.
Search and rescue teams, including a helicopter, were launched from Dungeness, Littlestone and Folkestone.Search and rescue teams, including a helicopter, were launched from Dungeness, Littlestone and Folkestone.
The inflatable boat with 20 people on board, was discovered at 2am and the matter was handed over to UK Border Force after the passengers were rescued. The inflatable boat with 20 people on board, was discovered at 2am and the matter was handed over to UK Border Force after the passengers were rescued.
Border Force officers are now interviewing the individuals involved, in Dover. A Home Office spokesman confirmed that there was one woman and two children aboard the boat. He added that a second vessel was discovered on the beach at Dymchurch which was believed could be linked to the boat that got into trouble.
The spokesman said: "A total of 20 people were picked up in a search and rescue operation. 18 were Albanian, and two were British. There was one woman, and two minors.
"They were taken to Dover and are currently being interviewed by Border Force officers.
"Two Border Force cutters were involved in the rescue operation alongside the UK coastguard."
The UK Coastguard said: "The UK Coastguard has been coordinating an incident off Dymchurch to rescue the occupants of a rhib this evening." The UK Coastguard said: "The UK Coastguard has been coordinating an incident off Dymchurch to rescue the occupants of a rhib this evening." 
A rhib stands for rigid-hulled inflatable boat, which is a lightweight vessel with a solid hull.  A rhib stands for rigid-hulled inflatable boat, which is a lightweight vessel with a solid hull.
"The Coastguard received a call at 11:40pm this evening requesting assistance to a rhib which was taking water," said the Coastguard.  "The Coastguard received a call at 11:40pm this evening requesting assistance to a rhib which was taking water," said the Coastguard.
"The Coastguard deployed a search and rescue helicopter from Lydd, RNLI lifeboats from Dungeness and Littlestone and coastguard rescue teams from Dungeness and Folkestone.""The Coastguard deployed a search and rescue helicopter from Lydd, RNLI lifeboats from Dungeness and Littlestone and coastguard rescue teams from Dungeness and Folkestone."
PA reporters contributed to this story