18 Albanians brought ashore on beach targeted for a second time
AN attempt by migrants to reach the Kent coast at the weekend was the second in a fortnight, residents of a seaside village revealed yesterday.
Eighteen Albanians and two Britons were rescued off Dymchurch in the early hours yesterday after their inflatable boat began to sink.
Officials are investigating another bid earlier this month after a bigger inflatable was found abandoned on the Dymchurch beach. Locals said the vessel was packed with lifejackets, suggesting those on board had evaded the authorities.
They fear smuggling gangs are unleashing wave upon wave of boats on the South of England coast because the treacherous journey across the Channel is so lucrative.
Others said the coastguard helicopter has been patrolling the coast in recent weeks amid concerns that the frequency of smuggling operations has increased.
The Dymchurch rescue is the latest example of people traffickers attempting to use small ports, marinas and isolated beaches to get their human cargo ashore. Criminal gangs appear to be using the same sheltered and remote landing points as smugglers of spirits, tobacco and tea in the 18th and 19th centuries.
It was shortly before midnight on Saturday when the UK Coastguard was alerted by its French counterparts to the sinking boat.
Two lifeboats and a helicopter found one boat sinking about two miles off the coast. A second, with Antares written on the side, was later found abandoned on the beach. Roger Wilkins, chairman of Dymchurch Parish Council, said he was horrified that 20 people were aboard the small boat.
He said: ‘How many more are going to try and come across the Channel? This is the second time we have had a boat abandoned. There was a bigger boat two weeks ago.’
Former teacher Jen BallingtonJames, 54, said: ‘We hear the helicopter most nights. That’s been going on since the Iranians were found.’ In April two Iranians were rescued on a small inflatable dinghy off Dover. Mrs Ballington- James’s husband Andrew, 58, added: ‘It’s the same smugglers route that has been used for centuries – but we don’t want our beaches used for that now.’
Investigators have found evidence gangs are charging up to £12,000 per migrant. Arrests have also been made at small ports from Devon to Norfolk.