39 migrants detained at Channel

A total of 39 migrants have been detained after four boats were intercepted attempting to cross the English Channel.

Border Force vessels stopped the boats which all attempted to reach the UK early on Sunday morning.

The first boat, which was stopped by the Border Force at 4.40am, contained nine people, with the second incident happening at 6am when five more people were detained in a rigid hulled inflatable boat (Rhib).

A further two Rhibs were intercepted at 7am and 7.30am, with 11 people on the first and 14 on the second.

A H o m e

O f f i c e spokeswoman said that all of those detained presented themselves as Iranian.

She said: “The people from all boats were taken to Dover where they were medically assessed before being interviewed by immigration officials.”