Group of 11 migrants in a dinghy are towed into Dover as nine others are rescued by French authorities after they boat started sinking
- Small boat was spotted by Border Force off the Kent coast at 4.30am today
- They found eight men, one woman and two children and brought them to Dover
- Claim they are from Iran and Iraq and will be medically assessed and interviewed
- French authorities found boat with nine migrants taking on water off Calais too
A dinghy carrying 11 migrants was towed ashore to Dover today as French authorities rescued nine others after their boat started sinking.
Border Force officials were sent out to sea after a small boat was spotted off the Kent coast at around 4.30am today.
They found a dinghy carrying eight men, one woman and two children before towing them back to Dover.
The migrants claim to be from Iran and Iraq and were sent for medical assessments before being interviewed.
A separate group of nine migrants were rescued by French border authorities off the coast of Calais this morning after their boat started to take on water.
A group of migrants are pictured being brought to shore in Dover today after they were caught by UK Border Force
The migrants that managed to reach the Kent coast were seen being ushered into vehicles at the port of Dover this morning
The French coastguard said it rescued nine migrants – six men, a woman and two children – shortly after 5am when the engine on their boat failed.
They were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer and handed over to police at around 8.15am, the Prefet Maritime Manche, who overseas Channel operations for the French, said.
It comes after 40 migrants made it to Britain’s shores in one day yesterday.
One of the boats, which was intercepted off Dover, is believed to have brought 25 asylum seekers in one go.
Today and yesterday’s incidents follow a spate of crossings in recent weeks, believed to have been prompted by calm summer seas and the impending Brexit deadline.
Migrants in camps across Europe have been swirling with gossip that it will be harder to enter the UK after it leaves the EU.
Officials are pictured quizzing a migrant wrapped in a thermal blanket in Dover
The migrants are seen queuing to be processed in Dover this morning
Border Force vans are pictured parked up at Dover today where 11 migrants were caught trying to reach British soil illegally
A Home Office spokesman told MailOnline: ‘Crossing the Channel in a small boat is a huge risk. The criminal gangs who perpetuate this are ruthless and do not care about loss of life.
‘We are working closely at all levels with the French authorities to tackle this dangerous and illegal activity.
‘In addition, Border Force cutters are patrolling the Channel and we have deployed equipment to detect migrant activity.
‘Last month the Home Secretary and her French counterpart agreed to intensify joint action to tackle small boat crossings in the Channel.
‘This includes drawing up an enhanced action plan to deploy more resources along the French coast to intercept and stop crossings.’
The migrants are pictured huddled in blankets and life jackets as they are brought in to Dover by a Border Force dinghy