The UK Border Force and maritime authorities are on “Red Alert” after many small migrant boats were detected this morning in the English Channel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first arrival occurred at 3:30 a.m., when a Border Force catamaran transported 50 migrants into Dover Harbour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authorities have received reports of up to nine other small boats attempting the passage in the previous hour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to sources, Border Force is “expecting an extremely busy day of migrant activity.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This will be the first important day of small boat crossings since six Afghan men drowned early Saturday morning when their small boat encountered problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rescuers are still looking for at least one additional missing person who is believed to have drowned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This morning, the Dover lifeboat was dispatched to respond to a single small boat sighting, as Border Force vessels were already stretched thin dealing with other concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In France, coastguards have deployed six patrol boats and a helicopter in the Channel in anticipation of additional attempts by migrants to cross as weather and water conditions improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It comes as the Government faces renewed pressure to stop the boats and calls to clampdown on the criminal gangs profiting from dangerous journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Around 755 migrants made the journey on Thursday – the highest daily number so far this year.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The UK Border Force and maritime authorities are on “Red Alert” after many small migrant boats were detected this morning in the English Channel. The first arrival occurred at 3:30 … <\/p>\n