Family with young child is first to reach UK shores since migrant boat tragedy

A FAMILY with a young child were among the first migrants to arrive in the UK yesterday since four people died when their migrant boat sank off the coast of France barely a week ago.

The child, aged around four or five, was wrapped up in a hooded coat and life jacket as they were led ashore at Dover .

With them was what appeared to be their mother, along with others who are believed to have been aboard the same boat that made the journey from France.

The crossings are believed to be the first since four members of a Kurdish-iranian family died when their overcrowded boat sank in bad weather last week.

Rasoul Iran-nejad and his wife Shiva Mohammad Panahi, both 35, lost their lives along with their children Anita, nine, and Armin, six, in the tragedy.

Their baby son Artin, just 15 months old, was also on board and is missing, presumed dead.

The deaths led to an outpouring of grief and anger at the crisis which has seen thousands make the dangerous crossing to the UK this year.

But the harrowing incident has not stopped more people trying to make it to Britain, with multiple boats believed to have been launched from the French coast yesterday morning bound for the UK.

Several Border Force boats were active in the English Channel yesterday, as well as French patrols.

One man arriving at Dover on Border Force patrol boat Speedwell had to be helped ashore by two officials before being seated in a wheelchair.

Bella Sankey, director of charity Detention Action, said: “Thank goodness this family are safe.

“But the UK Government’s failure to provide a safe and legal route to asylum for desperate families that reach Northern France means more will continue to risk their lives to reach the United Kingdom.”