A view of people thought to be migrants inside the Manston immigration centre (Gareth Fuller/PA)
(Picture: PA Wire)A man staying at the Manston migrant processing centre in Kent has died in hospital after becoming unwell, the Home Office has said.
Few details are so far known about the incident, but the Home Office said the person died in hospital on Saturday morning.
A person staying at our Manston facility has sadly died in hospital this morning after becoming unwell. We express our heartfelt condolences to all those affected. (1/2)
— Home Office (@ukhomeoffice) November 19, 2022
It is understood he arrived in the UK as part of a small boat crossing on November 12 and is believed to have been taken ill on Friday evening.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We can confirm a person staying at Manston has died this morning in hospital after becoming unwell. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to all those affected.
“Until a post-mortem examination takes place we cannot comment in detail, but there is no evidence at this stage to suggest that this tragic death was caused by an infectious disease.
“We take the safety and welfare of those in our care extremely seriously and provide 24/7 health facilities with trained medical staff at Manston.”
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said there will need to be a “full investigation” into the incident.
The Labour MP said: “We send deepest condolences to the family of the man who has died after staying at Manston.
“There will need to be a full investigation into what has happened in this tragic case.”
Last week, Home Office minister Robert Jenrick said: “One of the issues that has been experienced in recent weeks has been that the sheer number of individuals crossing the Channel has put immense pressure on the Manston facility”.
