Christmas Day Channel Drama: 35 Migrants Rescued from Icy Waters
Thirty-five migrants braving freezing rain and stormy seas were plucked from dinghies in the early hours of Christmas Day. The daring rescues took place in the English Channel, with the RNLI Dover lifeboat and Border Force teams springing into action.
Young Children Among Rescued
The migrants hailed from Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, including very young children. A young baby girl’s screams pierced the cold night as 68 people reached Dover, Kent, just after midnight on Christmas morning.
One dinghy, carrying 35 souls including a second child, was intercepted near the Dunkirk-Calais ferry route shortly before midnight.
Medical Checks and Social Services Step In
All rescued migrants underwent medical assessments. Adults were handed over to immigration officials for interviews, while the children were placed under social services’ care.
More Migrants Saved in French Waters
Just before Christmas, another nine migrants were saved after their boat’s engine failed in French waters. They have since been transferred to Coastguard custody and await medical checks.
UK Authorities Crack Down on Smugglers
The Home Office confirmed all 68 migrants are now safely in the UK. A spokeswoman said:
“Border Force has intercepted a number of boats containing migrants attempting to cross the Channel overnight and this morning, and has deployed resources to deal with these incidents.”
“The evidence shows there is organised criminal gang activity behind illegal migration attempts by small boats across the Channel. We are working closely with our French counterparts and law enforcement partners to target these gangs, who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk.”
These Christmas Day crossings add to a record surge in migrant rescues in recent months. Tragically, they come amid ongoing investigations into the deaths of 27 migrants lost attempting the Channel crossing.
