Dozens of migrants who endured more than 30 hours at sea have been relocated to Dover, according to the Conservative MP for Gosport. The decision follows earlier reports suggesting the vessel would be directed to Gosport, which sparked a gathering of demonstrators in the Hampshire town.
The dinghy originally departed from the Normandy coast on Monday morning. French authorities noted that approximately 60 individuals were aboard under “precarious conditions,” having refused assistance because they were resolved to reach the UK despite the risks. The French coastguard reported the journey lasted over 33 hours, while the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) stated it was called in just after 11:00 BST on Tuesday, when the crossing had already been underway for 36 hours.
Concerned about the deteriorating health and safety of those on board, HM Coastguard requested RNLI assistance before Border Force vessels could arrive. The Home Office had previously indicated it was “increasingly likely” the group would be taken to the Portsmouth area, a move acknowledged as “far from ideal” by Caroline Dinenage, the local MP.
Hundreds of protesters, including some with face coverings chanting “send them back,” gathered near the Gosport marina on Tuesday evening. Daniel Thomas, a prominent anti-migration campaigner who had been livestreaming the boat’s progress, had previously organized demonstrations in Portsmouth and Dover.
However, around 19:00, Dame Caroline confirmed that Border Force had intercepted the small boat and was transporting those on board eastward to Dover. She described the outcome as a “good result,” noting she had advocated throughout the day against a disembarkation in Gosport.
Following the dispersal of the demonstrators around 20:30, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary reported that six individuals were arrested after protesters became hostile toward officers. The government reaffirmed that the Border Security Command remains committed to detaining, checking, and processing every small boat arrival.
The vessel appears to have launched near Vierville-sur-Mer, west of Bayeux, an unusual departure point for such crossings. This incident echoes an earlier event this month where a dinghy from the Bay of the Seine was brought ashore in Hampshire, leading to protests in Portsmouth.
Departing from west of Bayeux is getting weirder each time. They are clearly adapting their routes to avoid detection.
Six arrests seems light for such a heated situation. Was anyone actually charged with violence or just obstruction?
I’m surprised they avoided Gosport entirely. That protest looked like it could have gotten much uglier.
Dover again? The infrastructure there must be completely overwhelmed by now. What is the long-term plan?
Thirty-six hours at sea is absolutely horrifying. How are humans even surviving like that?