Christmas Day Drama: 35 Migrants Plucked from English Channel
It was a Christmas rescue dash in the English Channel as 35 migrants were hauled from dinghies in the early hours of December 25. The RNLI Dover lifeboat and Border Force sprang into action amid driving rain to save men, women, and young children – including three babies – battling harsh seas.
Babies Cry as Refugees Reach Dover
The 68 people, mostly Iraqi, Iranian, and Afghan, arrived in Dover, Kent, around midnight on Christmas morning. Among them was a crying baby girl and another young child, showing the human cost of these perilous crossings.
One dinghy with 35 aboard was rescued just before midnight between Dunkirk and the Calais ferries. Border Force and coastguards worked tirelessly in bitter conditions to bring them to safety.
Medical Checks and Immigration Interviews Underway
All rescued migrants received medical assessments. Adults were handed over to immigration officials for interviews. Meanwhile, the children are now under the care of social services.
More Rescues and Warnings of Criminal Gangs
French waters saw another rescue when nine migrants were saved after their vessel’s engine failed. They were brought to the UK and are now with the Coastguard.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Border Force has intercepted several boats overnight and Christmas morning, deploying resources to deal with these incidents.”
They added there is clear evidence of organised crime gangs behind these dangerous Channel crossings. “We are working closely with French and law enforcement partners to target these gangs, who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk.”
Channel Migrant Crossings on the Rise
This Christmas clash follows a record surge in migrant rescues over recent months, amid growing concerns after 27 lives were tragically lost in Channel crossings – a disaster still under investigation.
