Fears growing for missing Channel migrant woman

A WOMAN migrant is feared to be the first fatality in the English Channel after she was swept from a dinghy making the crossing during storms.

A cargo ship spotted a small boat with 20 people in it around

20 miles off the coast of Broadstairs, Kent on Friday.

A huge search and rescue operation was launched after three people went into the water wearing life jackets in winds of up to 46mph.

Two were quickly recovered but the third could not be located.

In total, 19 people were transferred to a Border Force cutter as rescuers hunted for the missing woman.

Of those who came ashore, nine were men, six were women and four were children. Five originated from Iraq and 14 from Iran.

They have all been medically assessed, found to be well, and have been transferred to immigration officials for interview.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The Home Office will continue to liaise with other agencies as the investigation into this incident continues. Crossing the Channel in a small boat is a huge risk. The criminal gangs who perpetuate this are ruthless and do not care about loss of life.”

A further 41 people had to be rescued trying to cross the Channel on Friday. Border Force detained 30 people off the Kent coast – including 28 picked up in three rigid hulled inflatable boats as well as two men in a kayak.

And on the French side of the Channel, 11 people had to be rescued off the coast at Boulogne after their dinghy overturned in choppy seas.

At least 1,066 have arrived in boats since the start of November.