80 migrants rescued in English Channel after boat overturns
- Around 80 migrants were rescued in the English Channel after their boat overturned.
- The coastguard and lifeboat crews were called to help during the incident off the Kent coast.
- Thankfully, no deaths have been reported at this stage.
About 80 people were saved in the English Channel after their boat flipped over near Kent. The Border Force, coastguard, and lifeboat crews rushed to help when they were alerted. No one died, and it's not clear if anyone needed to go to the hospital. The coastguard sent two helicopters and the RLNI sent lifeboats to the scene. They said, "We are responding to a small boat incident in the Channel today." The Dover RNLI and Walmer inshore lifeboats were also sent to help. This incident is part of a larger issue. Over 125,000 people have come to the UK by crossing the Channel in the past six and a half years. Since a deal to send migrants to Rwanda was made over two years ago, more than 80,000 people have made this journey. The number of crossings has increased, with around 50,000 since Rishi Sunak became prime minister and nearly 1,000 since the last general election. This year alone, 10,779 people have crossed, which is 42% more than last year and 8% more than in 2022. Today, around 80 people were rescued after their boat faced trouble in the Channel. Some were pulled from the water. The coastguard and lifeboat crews helped the Border Force during this incident. No deaths have been reported, and it's uncertain if anyone will need hospital care. The coastguard said they are managing the situation, and helicopters and lifeboats were sent to assist. The RNLI mentioned that their lifeboats were also involved in the rescue operation.