A fourth person has been arrested in an investigation into the deaths of five asylum seekers including a child.

The 18-year-old from Sudan was detained yesterday evening (Wednesday) at Manston and is now in custody being questioned.

Meanwhile the 19-year-old man rom Sudan who was initially detained on Tuesday evening, has been released without charge.

He will now be dealt with by the immigration authorities.

Two other men, a 22-year-old Sudanese national and a 22-year-old from South Sudan arrested yesterday, continue to be held.

The National Crime Agency and partners from Kent Police, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force continue to work with French counterparts who are investigating the circumstances of the tragedy.

It happened on a beach near Wimereux, northern France, on Tuesday.

The NCA says the process of interviewing those who were on the boat in question and later arrived in the UK is ongoing and will likely take several days.

More than 110 people were said to have been on board the vessel when it left at 5am near the Plage des Allemands.

A total of 55 people believed to have been on board the boat when it later arrived in the UK have also been identified.

They have now been through initial interviews, with further interviews likely to take place over the coming days as part of the probe.

French police continue to investigate the circumstances that led to the deaths. The NCA is closely supporting that investigation alongside Kent Police, Immigration Enforcement and Border Force.

NCA Deputy Director of Investigations Craig Turner said: “This tragic incident once again demonstrates the threat to life posed by these crossings and bring into focus why it is so important to target the criminal gangs involved in organising them.

“We will do all we can with partners in the UK and France to secure evidence, identify those responsible for this event, and bring them to justice.”