People-smuggling arrests after nine rescued from inflatable boat in Channel

Two men have been arrested on suspicion of people smuggling after nine migrants were rescued from a boat crossing the English Channel.

Eight men and one woman, who told Border Force officers they were Albanian, were rescued by lifeboat crews on Wednesday morning in the Dover Strait.

Two of the men have been arrested by the National Crime Agency and are being questioned.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “The group consisted of eight men and one woman and they will be processed in line with immigration rules.

“An investigation led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) is now underway.”

Martin Grace, NCA senior investigating officer, said: “This incident demonstrates the dangers associated with attempts to cross the Channel in this manner, and it is extremely fortunate that all those on this vessel were able to be recovered safe and well.

“An investigation is underway and we are working closely with Border Force and Immigration Enforcement.”

The other people on board were being dealt with by Border Force, the NCA said.

A search and rescue operation involving the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the RNLI, Border Force and the NCA was launched after a small boat was spotted off the coast of East Sussex.

A rigid hull inflatable boat, carrying nine people, was eventually located and those on board taken by lifeboat to Eastbourne harbour.

The British government did not give further details about the group’s point of departure or the purpose of their voyage.