Migrant crisis: UK on 'red alert' as authorities scramble in 'extremely busy day'
UK Border Force and maritime authorities are on 'Red Alert' as multiple small migrant boats have been spotted in the English Channel this morning
Authorities have received reports of up to nine small boats attempting the crossing
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UK Border Force and maritime authorities are on "Red Alert" as multiple small migrant boats have been spotted in the English Channel this morning.
The first group of around 50 arrived at Dover harbour at 3.30am on a Boder Force Catamaran.
From 6am, Coastguards received multiple sightings of other small boats from passing shipping in the Channel.
GB News journalists spotted boats with up to 65 people on each dinghy, as people smugglers continue to pack Channel migrant boats.
A Coastguard spotter plane and other air assets were also involved in this morning's operation.
Almost 500 people on board eight small boats have already been taken to Dover harbour.
There are up to 65 people on each of the boats, which until recent weeks only carried a maximum of around 50.
Maritime authorities say they are extremely concerned by the latest development, which is seeing more emergencies, with migrants ending up in the water.
The Border Force Catamaran Volunteer had around 130 people on board from two small boats, when it docked at Dover.
The Border Force vessel Ranger had another two boat loads onboard, totalling around 110 people.
The three lifeboats carried almost 200 people between them.
With weather conditions expected to improve further over the weekend, Border Force is preparing for a number of "Red days" where a significant small boat surge is expected.
Sources have told GB News that Border Force is "expecting an extremely busy day of migrant activity."
This will be the first significant day of small boat crossings since six Afghan men drowned when their small boat got into difficulties early on Saturday morning.
Rescuers are still searching for at least one other missing person who is presumed drowned.
This morning, Dover lifeboat has just been scrambled to respond to one small boat sighting, as Border Force vessels are already stretched to the limit dealing with other issues.
In France, coastguards have mobilised six patrol boats in the Channel and a helicopter in anticipation of further attempts by migrants to cross as weather and sea conditions improve.
It comes as the Government faces renewed pressure to stop the boats and calls to clampdown on the criminal gangs profiting from dangerous journeys.
Around 755 migrants made the journey on Thursday - the highest daily number so far this year.
More than 100,000 crossings have been made since 2018 with 16,000 of those since the start of 2023.
