Up to 80 people, including a baby, have been picked up in the English Channel today as the total number of migrants reaching British shores nears the 15,000 milestone. If confirmed, that would take the total number of migrants to have reached the United Kingdom so far this year beyond the 15,000 milestone. Border Force vessel Seeker was next to enter the harbour around 1pm with approximately 30 male migrants. The crossings continued as Home Secretary Priti Patel was seen meeting Border Force officers in the Kent port town on Thursday. Border Force detained 222 people across 10 separate incidents on Thursday as people smugglers took advantage of the unusual warm September weather.

Source: The Nation September 17, 2021 15:22 UTC