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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/nov/23/seven-migrants-rescued-boat-folkestone-harbour
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Seven 'migrants' rescued in boat in Folkestone harbour | Seven 'migrants' rescued in boat in Folkestone harbour |
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Seven people, thought to be migrants, were rescued in a boat in Folkestone harbour in the early hours of Wednesday morning after at least three began suffering from hypothermia. | Seven people, thought to be migrants, were rescued in a boat in Folkestone harbour in the early hours of Wednesday morning after at least three began suffering from hypothermia. |
The small boat they were sailing in was found in the harbour after a distress call was made while it was out at sea. It is believed the boat reached the shore without assistance. | The small boat they were sailing in was found in the harbour after a distress call was made while it was out at sea. It is believed the boat reached the shore without assistance. |
Kent police said they were called to the scene just after 5.30am because of concerns about the boat. They said: “The Coastguard coordinated a search for the boat which was located at Folkestone harbour and seven suspected migrants were also found.” | Kent police said they were called to the scene just after 5.30am because of concerns about the boat. They said: “The Coastguard coordinated a search for the boat which was located at Folkestone harbour and seven suspected migrants were also found.” |
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a search-and-rescue operation had been launched after a call was received from a boat reporting that people on board were unwell. | |
A spokesman said: “A boat with seven people on board, including three with suspected hypothermia, was then found.” | |
The recovered boat was a small red and black rib (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) with an outboard motor, according to the BBC reporter Simon Jones. | The recovered boat was a small red and black rib (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) with an outboard motor, according to the BBC reporter Simon Jones. |
This is the boat on which 7 suspected migrants arrived in Folkestone. pic.twitter.com/wBM2HSWamr | This is the boat on which 7 suspected migrants arrived in Folkestone. pic.twitter.com/wBM2HSWamr |
The South East Coast ambulance service was also called. | |
“The matter has been passed to Home Office immigration enforcement,” the statement from Kent police added. The Home Office has yet to comment. | “The matter has been passed to Home Office immigration enforcement,” the statement from Kent police added. The Home Office has yet to comment. |
Speaking to Kent Online, a spokesman for the Kent Coastguard said: “There are seven people, possibly immigrants, all males. One was on shore, the others were in a boat. We are now trying to find out where they originated from.” | |
Charlie Elphicke, the MP for Dover and Deal, said the incident highlighted the need to protect UK borders following the closure of the Calais refugee camp. | |
He said: “This is yet another sign of the extreme lengths people will go to, risking their lives trying to break into Britain.” | |
“Crossing the English Channel in a small boat as winter sets in is about as dangerous as it gets. | |
“It’s clear that although the camp at Calais has been cleared, we now need to be more vigilant than ever. | |
“This incident underlines the need to ensure we scan our seas for people smugglers, protect our borders and to strengthen our intelligence effort with France.” |