English Channel search continues after four die in migrant boat tragedy

world
English Channel Search Continues After Four Die In Migrant Boat Tragedy
Officials in white forensic suits, © PA Wire/PA Images
Share this article

By Flora Thompson, PA Home Affairs Correspondent

Drones were used to search the English Channel overnight after four people died when a migrant boat capsized.

Ships were also asked to post lookouts as the search continued on Thursday after 39 people were rescued in the early hours of Wednesday, with most of them understood to have been pulled from the cold water.

Advertisement

The UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said: “The search has continued overnight utilising a combination of aerial search assets and broadcast action requesting shipping in the area to post lookouts and report any sightings to Dover Coastguard.

Migrant Channel crossing incidents
A major search and rescue operation began on Wednesday morning (PA)

“Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident and with the families of those who have lost their lives.”

Advertisement

The Royal Navy, French navy, Coastguard and RNLI lifeboats took part in a major rescue operation off the Kent coast after they were called to a boat “in distress” at 3.05am on Wednesday.

Two casualties were taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, bosses there said.

One was later discharged but the other had died by the time they arrived, it is understood.

Read More

Message submitting... Thank you for waiting.

Want us to email you top stories each lunch time?

Download our Apps
© BreakingNews.ie 2024, developed by Square1 and powered by PublisherPlus.com