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New suspected migrant cases at Langdon Bay and Port of Dover, involving Border Force

16:58, 01 May 2019

updated: 18:26, 01 May 2019

Two more suspected migrant incidents have happened today.

Eight men were picked up at the Port of Dover and another five found in a small craft crossing the Channel.

The Home Office explained that a RHIB (rigid-hulled inflatable boat) was discovered at Langdon Bay, near Dover Eastern Docks, early this morning.

Port of Dover
Port of Dover

Eight men were later encounterd by police at the Port of Dover and referred to the Border Force.

Later a Border Force Coastal Patrol vessel, helped by HM Coastguard, intercepted a second RHIB, travelling across the Channel and heading towards the UK.

The five men on board were brought to Dover.

A Home Office spokesman said: "All 13, whose nationalities have yet to be determined, have been medically assessed and transferred to immigration officials for interview."

Coastguards had confirmed that they had been on a sea search with the Border Force for a vessel off the Kent coast between 8.50am and 11.30am this morning.

A Border Force vessel was used as well as the Dungeness RNLI lifeboat The Morrell.

Kent Police were also liaised over that search although its officers did not directly attend.

A spokesman for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "We are committed to safeguarding life around the seas and coastal areas of this country.

" HM Coastguard is only concerned with preservation of life, rescuing those in trouble and bringing them safely back to shore, where they will be handed over to the relevant partner emergency services or authorities."

The Morrell involved in the search later n the morning. Picture: Wayne McCabe
The Morrell involved in the search later n the morning. Picture: Wayne McCabe

With Kent Online's regular count-up this now total a net 55 migrant or suspected migrant cases, involving 485 people, since November 8.

These have involved people landing on the shores on the Dover and Folkestone and Hythe districts or being picked up at sea by British authorities and brought to land.

There is now a gross figure of 67 cases involving 586 people, which includes people in small craft picked up by French authorities and brought back to France.

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