A 32-year-old man from Syria has been arrested after a woman died after she was found unresponsive on a small migrant boat trying to cross the English Channel.
Emergency services were called after the vessel entered UK waters on Saturday (June 20), but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
A small boat carrying people thought to be migrants near Gravelines in France. Stock picture: PA
Kent Police said officers were called to Western Docks in Dover at 3.11pm alongside other emergency services, and are now carrying out initial enquiries into the circumstances of her death.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Border Security Command Maritime responded to a small boat that entered UK waters.
“On intercepting this boat, a migrant was found to be unresponsive. Despite medical assistance, we are deeply saddened to confirm that they have since died. Our thoughts are with all those affected.
“This latest tragedy underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings.
“We continue to work relentlessly with the French and our partners to prevent these perilous journeys.”
A group of people thought to be migrants wade into the sea near Gravelines in France to join a boat. Stock picture: Gareth Fuller/PA
A Kent Police spokesperson said: “Police were called to the Western Docks in Dover at 3.11pm on Saturday June 20. Officers attended along with other emergency services where a woman was confirmed deceased.
“Work is ongoing to confirm her identity and contact her next of kin.”
They added: “An investigation was launched and a 32-year-old man from Syria was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. He remains in custody.”
The woman’s death brings the number of migrants believed to have died or gone missing on the route this year to 11.