UK intercepts 86 migrants crossing Channel in one day : The Tribune India

Join Whatsapp Channel

UK intercepts 86 migrants crossing Channel in one day

LONDON: British authorities said they intercepted 86 migrants crossing the Channel from France on small boats on Tuesday, thought to be one of the largest number of apprehensions in a single day.

UK intercepts 86 migrants crossing Channel in one day

In this file photo taken on February 18, 2019, a handout image made available by Frances Societe Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (SNSM) on February 18, 2019, shows British rescuers (front) helping some 20 migrants on a semi-rigid boat trying make their way from France across the English Channel. AFP photo



UK intercepts 86 migrants crossing Channel in one day
London, September 11

British authorities said they intercepted 86 migrants crossing the Channel from France on small boats on Tuesday, thought to be one of the largest number of apprehensions in a single day.

The migrants—including women and children—who hailed from eight different countries were detained in five separate incidents, according to Britain's interior ministry.

Some had made it ashore from small boats while others were still at sea when they were intercepted by the border force.

The arrivals are the latest in a spate of Channel crossings which have intensified this summer as migrants take advantage of mild weather to try to reach Britain via the world's busiest shipping lane.

Since January, 1,450 migrants have been rescued either by British or French coastguardsmore than double the number who tried to cross the busy shipping lane in the whole of 2018, according to official French figures released last month.

Interior minister Priti Patel met her French counterpart in Paris last month, when they agreed "to deploy more resources along the French coast to intercept and stop crossings," her department said.

"We are working closely at all levels with the French authorities to tackle this dangerous and illegal activity," an interior ministry spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Border force cutters are patrolling the Channel while equipment including drones, CCTV and night vision goggles are in use.

"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," the spokeswoman added.

Tuesday began with the interception of two small boats carrying 23 people from Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Philippines.

Two further vessels were stopped separately off the British coast later in the day, with dozens of other migrants on board including Iraqi, Vietnamese and Ethiopian nationals.

Meanwhile officials also detained 22 migrants, including Turks, who had made it ashore in two locations on the southeast coast.

Those apprehended were taken to the port town of Dover, where they were medically assessed and transferred to immigration officials for interview. — AFP

 

 

 

 

Top News

High alert across Uttar Pradesh after gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death

High alert across Uttar Pradesh after gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari's death

Umar Ansari alleged that his father was subjected to slow po...

Mukhtar Ansari was subjected to slow poisoning in jail: Son

Mukhtar Ansari was subjected to slow poisoning in jail: Son

Ansari's post-mortem to be conducted in UP by panel of five ...

Enforcement Directorate wants AAP's Lok Sabha poll strategy details from Arvind Kejriwal's phone: Atishi

Enforcement Directorate wants AAP's Lok Sabha poll strategy details from Arvind Kejriwal's phone: Atishi

Says actually it is the BJP and not the ED that wants to kno...

PM Modi in conversation with Bill Gates, says India has democratised technology, aims to end digital divide

PM Modi, in conversation with Bill Gates, says India has democratised technology, aims to end digital divide

Says tech can play big role in agriculture, education, healt...


Cities

View All