More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
Eight boats estimated to be carrying a total of more than 150 migrants have been brought to a Kent port today.
This video, taken by Chris Johnson shows about seven men, accompanied by two Border Force officers on board the government vessel which brought them safely to Dover.
The vessel is also shown towing an inflatable RHIB.
It is not known if that was the boat the migrants used for their crossing or if it belongs to Border Force.
Mr Johnson said: "It started at 5am. The French were met by Border Force mid channel on at least four migrant boats."
Another onlooker Chris Rolf said there were several UK Border Force vessels and RNLI in the channel along with Coastguard aircraft and a drone, with various French vessels.
He said: "There must be a large number going by the amount of authority vessels out."
A Home Office spokesman said: "Border Force and partner agencies have been dealing with eight incidents today after being alerted to small boats in the Channel travelling towards the UK.
"All individuals were brought to Dover and, in line with established processes, were assessed to establish whether there are any medical requirements.
"All have now been transferred to immigration officials. They will be interviewed, and their cases will be dealt with in line with the immigration rules, transferring to detention where appropriate."
The first involved a vessel carrying a group of 48 males and 16 females who presented themselves as Iranian, Iraqi, Kuwaiti and Afghani; the second was a group of 14 males, nationality unknown; the third had a group of 17 individuals, males and females, on board; the fourth had 16 males, nationality unknown; the fifth was carrying 16 males who were Iraqis, Kuwaiti, Iranian and Syrian; the sixth had a group of 13 males who presented themselves as Iranian and Iraqi nationals; the seventh was a group of 15 males who presented themselves as Iranian and Iraqi Yemeni, Syrian, Chinese nationals.
Finally, the eighth vessel had a group of 11 males on board, who said they were Yemeni and Sudanese nationals, and they were arrested on a beach at Samphire Hoe by Kent police.
