Dozens of migrants taken to Dover after more than 30 hours at sea
BBC News reports that dozens of migrants were taken to Dover by water after spending over 30 hours at sea, as per the statement from Conservative MP for Gosport, James McCarthy. An earlier report suggested the boat would reach Gosport, leading to a gathering of protesters in the Hampshire town.
The boat, which left the Normandy coast on Monday morning, was shadowed by the French coastguard who reported that the approximately 60 migrants on board were in precarious conditions and refused assistance as they were determined to reach the UK at all costs.
British rescue boats were dispatched on Tuesday, with the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency stating that the migrants would be transferred to Border Security Command. The French coastguard revealed that the migrants had been at sea for over 33 hours.
The Home Office initially expressed the likelihood of the migrants being taken to the Portsmouth area, acknowledging it was far from ideal. However, they emphasized that any decision would be made "where operationally necessary" after careful consideration.
In the evening of Tuesday, protesters gathered near Gosport's marina upon receiving news of the boat's direction. Some in the crowd chanted "send them back". The demonstration dispersed later that night following the interception of the boat by Border Force and its journey to Dover.
Six arrests were made in Gosport after protesters became hostile towards officers. The government affirmed their commitment to protecting the border, stating that Border Security Command operates around the clock.