A number of migrants are feared drowned after a boat they were on capsized off the Kent coast. A large search and rescue operation has been launched in the English Channel following the incident involving a small boat in the early hours of Wednesday.
Rescue teams are continuing the operation after being alerted at about 3.40am. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said HM Coastguard was working with the RNLI, Royal Navy, Border Force, French navy and Kent Police to look for the boat, while an air ambulance has also been sent to the scene.
It is thought there were at least 30 people on board. According to Simon Jones from the BBC some have died. He said in a tweet: "It’s understood there have been fatalities after a migrant boat sank in the Channel. This has not yet been confirmed by the authorities."
