Two men have been arrested and six people have been taken to hospital after migrants were found in the back of a lorry at Newhaven ferry port, Sussex Police said.
Both the men are in custody, with one detained on suspicion of people smuggling and the other suspected of entering the UK illegally, the force said.
No fatalities have been reported at this stage, according to the PA news agency.
Sussex Police said: "We are currently supporting Border Force, who are the lead agency, and other emergency services after a number of people were found on a lorry on a boat in Newhaven Port.
"A man has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK, and a second man has been arrested for illegally entering the UK.
"The ambulance service has taken six further people to hospital for treatment."
It is believed the people in question had been found inside a lorry on board a ferry.
The Home Office confirmed Border Force was involved in responding to the incident but said that while it was ongoing "it would be inappropriate to comment further".
Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex said it was called to an incident in Newhaven on Friday.
The port remains open, according to the BBC.
Sussex Police, South East Coast Ambulance Service and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service were seen at the port.
On social media Lewes MP Maria Caulfield said there was “devastating news for us here in Newhaven”.
The politician said her office faces the port and there has been “activity all morning”.
She added: “Huge thanks to border force, the port officials and emergency services. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected.”
Devastating news for us here in Newhaven . My office faces the ferry and the port and there has been activity all morning. Huge thanks to border force, the port officials and emergency services . Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected
— Maria Caulfield MP (@mariacaulfield) February 16, 2024
In a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter, South East Coast Ambulance said: “We were called at 9.40am this morning to an incident at Newhaven Ferry Port.
“A range of ambulance resources have attended, including our HART team, alongside other emergency service partners. We will not be providing further details at this time.”
More to follow.
