Easter migrant boom: 72 refugees detained in one day as dinghies moor up on Kent beaches with masked men and women on board
- Four separate boats containing 72 migrants were intercepted off the south coast
- They said they were from Iraq, Iran and Syria and were sent for medical exams
- They were transferred to immigration officials where their cases will be assessed
Four boats carrying 72 migrants were intercepted by Border Force off the south coast on Easter Sunday.
The first two boats, spotted at 6.30am near Kent, contained 22 men and eight women who said they were from Iraq, Iran and Syria.
At 9.45am, another inflatable boat arrived, this time carrying a group of 13 men.
Four boats carrying 72 migrants were intercepted by Border Force off the south coast on Easter Sunday
The final boat arrived shortly after midday carrying 25 men and four women.
All 72 were taken to Hastings to be medically assessed before they were transferred to immigration officials where their cases will be assessed.
Tony Eastaugh, Home Office Director for Crime & Enforcement, said: ‘Those facilitating these illegal crossings and the criminals behind this trade are breaking the law.
All 72 were taken to Hastings to be medically assessed before they were transferred to immigration officials
‘If someone facilitates an illegal crossing, we will enforce the law and seek to return those with no right to be in the UK.
‘We are working around the clock each day with the NCA and French law enforcement agencies to arrest and dismantle organised crime gangs in France.
‘On a daily basis there are extra police patrols on French beaches, drones, specialist vehicles and detection equipment to stop small boats leaving European shores.’