Four Dead After Migrant Boat Capsizes Off Kent Coast
Four migrants lost their lives early this morning when a dinghy capsized off the coast of Kent. The chilling rescue unfolded after skipper Raymond, woken by his crew, spotted distressed migrants clinging to the overturned boat.
“Like a Second World War Movie” – Harrowing Rescue
Raymond estimated around 45 people were trapped in the freezing water. “It was like something out of a Second World War movie, with people screaming in the water everywhere,” he recalled. The fishing crew battled adverse conditions for two hours, hauling terrified passengers aboard their vessel.
“When the dinghy began to drift, I steered towards it and secured it with a rope,” Raymond explained. “We were trying to get them off the dinghy.”
Migrants Paid £5,000 Each to Smugglers
The rescued told of paying smugglers £5,000 each in France for the perilous journey. Their origins spanned Afghanistan, Iraq, Senegal, and India. The ordeal was deadly – one migrant clung to the fishing boat and drowned unnoticed until his body surfaced once they began moving.
“The next thing I knew, this rope was tied to a dead body. One person had swum to the starboard side, tied a rope to my gear around his wrist to stay close. When I started the boat, his body floated up,” said Raymond.
Rescue Efforts and Ongoing Search
The crew stripped the survivors of wet clothes, giving them anything dry to keep warm before arrival at Dover. Raymond described the feat as “lucky” due to favourable sea conditions despite the freezing temperatures.
According to officials, 43 migrants were rescued alive, some from the boat, others clinging to the water. Medical teams found none seriously injured on arrival.
However, fear lingers for more lives lost as the search continues amid near-freezing conditions. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is working closely with RNLI, Royal Navy, Border Force, French navy, Kent Police, and even an air ambulance dispatched to the area.
A government spokesperson confirmed: “We are aware of an incident in UK waters, and all relevant agencies are supporting a coordinated response. More information will be provided in due course.”
Home Secretary Suella Braverman called it a “terrible tragedy” during a Commons statement, confirming talks with her French counterpart and close cooperation with local authorities.
