French navy officers refused to rescue 60 distressed migrants on a cramped boat filling with water in its territory – and instead radioed and asked UK Border Force to come and rescue them. The Mail has the story.
French officials spent hours this morning shadowing a packed migrant boat – mostly men – across the Channel, sparking extraordinary scenes.
But the situation quickly went awry, as they could be heard shouting and screaming “help” and waving their hands at a nearby French navy boat.
Despite knowing the dinghy was full of water, the French authorities did not help or try and rescue them and instead radioed the UK Border Force.
The incident came as new figures show the total number migrants this year so far has already hit 3,224 – 8% higher than the same point last year which saw 2,983 migrants arrive in Dover.
That’s 26,466 since Keir Starmer took power – an average of 55 a day.
Fours hours after the French Navy had began following a dinghy at 5.50am, around 1.3 miles away from the French coast, they radioed the UK Border Force about the distressed boat.
During the conversation on a public radio system – which can be listened to on any boat – one French official could be heard informing the British service that the boat was full of water and migrants were waving their hands.
One said: “Do you have a rib to clear the situation if possible?”
Border Force replied: “Regarding sending our rib into French water. If possible, it would be preferred if you could launch your rib in your side and if there is any distress, we will come into French waters. But yeah, are you able to launch your rib over?”
The French did as requested and nine miles later handed over the migrants to a UK Border Force vessel, who were then returned to Dover.
One witness said: “This was a complete taxi service. The French said these migrants were distressed and needed help. But it didn’t rescue them. Instead they asked Britain.
“When Britain were not keen, the French simply escorted them even further into British water. It’s appalling.”
Another added: “That’s the French refusing to rescue the boat and instead just waiting for Border Force.
“They are a taxi service. This is evidence of them not wanting to help the migrants and instead just making sure they get to Britain.”
New figures show how the small boats crisis is deepening.
In just the first four days of this month 1,168 migrants have made their way across the Channel, with 326 migrants in six boats making the perilous journey yesterday.
This is the first recording of more than 1,000 arrivals in four days so far this year, according to Home Office data.
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