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Children and pregnant woman among Dungeness migrant arrivals Channel migrants: 235 people in 17 vessels stopped in one day
(about 13 hours later)
At least 16 migrants including children and a heavily pregnant woman have landed on a Kent beach, according to a witness. A total of 235 migrants were intercepted crossing the English Channel on Thursday, the Home Office confirmed - a record for a single day.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it had been working with Border Force on a number of incidents in the English Channel. Among them was a group of 15, including children and a heavily pregnant woman, that landed on a Kent beach.
The Home Office has been asked for a comment and further details. In total, 17 vessels were apprehended by The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Border Force units.
More than 3,700 people have crossed the English Channel in about 286 boats so far this year. Including Thursday's total, 3,948 people have crossed the Channel in more than 300 boats so far this year.
Susan Pilcher told the BBC she had seen at least 16 migrants on Dungeness beach in three family groups, as well as two single men. The Home Office has not been able to supply a breakdown of genders or nationalities of those who were intercepted.
Eyewitness Susan Pilcher told the BBC she had seen three family groups on Dungeness beach, as well as two single men.
One woman appeared to be heavily pregnant, she said.One woman appeared to be heavily pregnant, she said.
Not including those who arrived in Kent on Thursday at least 3,713 people have successfully crossed the English Channel in about 267 boats so far this year. Not including those who arrived in Kent on Thursday, at least 3,713 people have successfully crossed the English Channel in 286 boats in 2020.
On Wednesday a small boat with 13 migrants on board who presented themselves as Afghan, Iranian, Iraqi, Eritrean and Sri Lankan nationals was intercepted in the English Channel, the Home Office said. On Wednesday, a small boat with 13 migrants on board who presented themselves as Afghan, Iranian, Iraqi, Eritrean and Sri Lankan nationals was intercepted in the English Channel, the Home Office said.
On 30 July, a record 202 migrants crossed the Channel in 20 boats. On 30 July, a then-record of 202 migrants crossed the Channel in 20 boats.
An inquiry has been launched into the reasons behind the huge increase in Channel crossings by migrants.
Among the areas the home affairs committee will examine are:
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