Children among 14 migrants rescued in Channel

TWO CHILDREN were among 14 migrants plucked to safety as they attempted to cross the English Channel early yesterday.

The 12 adults and two youngsters were found when an emergency helicopter search was launched after a distress call went out shortly after 2.15am.

Rescue teams found the boat four nautical miles west of Le Touquet, France.

The migrants, safely picked up by 4am, were taken to Boulogne, where they were handed over to border police.

Meanwhile Border Force is continuing to deal with “ongoing small boat incidents” off the Kent coast, the Home Office has confirmed.

Last week, more than 100 migrants risked their lives to make the treacherous crossing to the UK.

In response, Bella Sankey, from Detention Action, called for migrants to be given “safe accommodation instead of indefinite detention” and the means to self isolate if they needed to.

Fears have been raised that as many as 3,000 migrants living in northern France in desperate conditions are at high risk from the virus and may be vulnerable .

Charity Care4Calais has warned: “With no running water they can’t wash their hands and by sleeping rough they can’t self isolate.

“Not being able to protect themselves or their families is terrifying.”

Haltemprice and Howden MP David Davis sought assurances in the Commons earlier this week over what measures had been taken to ensure those in the country illegally would be able to seek medical help.