Four Migrants Dead After Dinghy Capsizes Off Kent Coast
Skipper’s Midnight Rescue Horror
Skipper Raymond was fast asleep when his crew woke him with alarming news: “There are migrants alongside the boat.” In the early hours, a small dinghy carrying desperate migrants capsized near Kent. Four lives were lost.
Raymond estimated around 45 people were clinging to the wreckage. He described the chaotic scene: “It was like something out of a Second World War movie, with people screaming in the water everywhere.”
Footage shows the fishing crew pulling terrified migrants aboard their vessel. “When the dinghy began to drift away, I steamed towards it and tied it to the side with a rope,” said Raymond. “We were trying to get them off the dinghy.”
Migrants Paid £5,000 for Perilous Journey
The rescued migrants told the crew they each paid £5,000 to smugglers in France for passage to the UK.
“Adrenaline kicks in, and you find the strength to get these guys safe,” Raymond’s crew said after two hours pulling people from freezing waters. Those rescued hailed from Afghanistan, Iraq, Senegal and India.
Tragically, as the boat was leaving, the crew found a migrant clinging to the side had drowned. Raymond explained: “We’d been focused on the port side, but this man had swum to starboard, tied a rope around his wrist and to my fishing gear to stay close. When I started the boat, his body floated up.”
Hypothermia Fears and Lifesaving Warmth
After hauling survivors aboard, Raymond said they gave everyone a “lukewarm shower” and stripped off soaked clothes. “My crew gave them any spare clothes we had to keep warm.”
Out of 43 migrants rescued and brought ashore, 31 were saved by Raymond’s team. “It was very fortunate the sea conditions were favourable,” he said. “It was freezing.”
Upon arriving in Dover, a medical team checked on the survivors who were, surprisingly, in good condition, with no serious injuries reported.
Search Continues Amid Freezing Conditions
The hunt for more migrants continues but fears grow for others lost in icy waters, with temperatures plummeting to -4°C overnight.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed a large-scale operation involving HM Coastguard, RNLI, Royal Navy, Border Force, French navy, and Kent Police. An air ambulance was dispatched to assist.
A UK government spokesperson said: “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” and said she’s working closely with French authorities following talks with her counterpart.
