An asylum seeker has been airlifted to hospital following a search and rescue mission off the Kent coast this morning.

Border Force, Dover RNLI and the coastguard helicopter all responded to the incident, which is believed to involve small boats crossing the Channel.

While out at sea, the man reportedly became unwell and required urgent medical attention.

It comes as asylum seekers continue to make the dangerous journey between France and the UK, despite the colder weather.

Last Thursday, more than 1,000 people arrived in Kent to seek asylum - setting a record for the largest number of people to cross in one day.

Seven hundred had arrived the day before.

This morning's rescue saw the coastguard helicopter landing in Dover. Seventy eight people crossed the Channel, on four boats.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Border Force this morning worked with HM Coastguard and other partners to respond to an incident off the Dover coast. The situation has now been resolved".

A spokesman for Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "HM Coastguard has been coordinating a search and rescue response to an incident off Kent, working with Border Force and other partners.

"We sent the coastguard helicopter from Lydd and Dover RNLI lifeboat.

"HM Coastguard will continue to safeguard life around the seas and coastal areas of the UK, working with search and rescue resources in the area.

"If a vessel needs search and rescue assistance, HM Coastguard will continue to respond and rescue those in danger."

Earlier this week, the Home Secretary and her French counterpart both vowed to make asylum seeker crossings "unviable". Similar pledges have been made before.

Four people lost their lives at sea earlier this month after attempting to cross the English Channel.

Dan O’Mahoney, clandestine channel threat commander, said: “We are facing a global migration crisis and the number of people arriving on UK shores is unacceptable.

“We must work closely with our European and international partners to target the ruthless organised criminal gangs behind these deadly crossing and welcome the French Government’s commitment to step up action to prevent crossings, including increased surveillance, greater intelligence sharing and deployment of frontline operations

“The New Plan for Immigration will fix the broken system, break the deadly business model of the people smugglers and prevent further loss of life.”

Read more: All the latest news from Dover

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