Border Force catch 102 migrants including seven children trying to cross Channel to UK in a new record – bringing total to 192 in 48 hours
A record 102 migrants have attempted to cross the English Channel today, just one day after 90 asylum seekers including 15 children reached British shores.
Five inflatable boats carrying individuals claiming to be from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria were picked up by Border Force, the Home Office said.
Nine of the migrants managed to get to a beach in Kent where they were detained by police.
The 102 migrants – who included seven children – are believed to be a new record for a single day.
The crossings come after 90 people were picked up on Thursday and as the UK braces for winds of up to 80mph and heavy rain when Storm Ciara hits this weekend.
Across the Channel, French authorities have also detained ‘around 30 people’.
The English Channel is the world’s busiest shipping lane, with 500 to 600 ships passing through the narrow strait every day.
On Friday, Border Force dealt with six incidents after being alerted to small boats that were headed towards the UK.
In the first incident, at around 1am, a Border Force vessel intercepted an inflatable boat which was carrying a group of 32 people – 26 men and six women – who presented themselves as Iranian and Iraqi nationals.
At around 2.45am, a small boat was intercepted which was carrying a group of 13 people – 12 men and one woman – who presented themselves as Iranian and Afghan nationals.
In the third incident, at around 3.55am, a Border Force vessel picked up a boat carrying a group of 15 people – 14 men and one woman – who presented themselves as Iranian nationals.
