Migrant crisis: 'Reckless' people smugglers push small boats out into storm just a week after drownings
Three small boats made it to UK waters just after first light
GB News
Organised criminal gangs have been condemned by maritime experts for pushing small boats out to sea in stormy conditions, a week after at least six migrants drowned in the Channel.
Lifeboats and Border Force vessels were called to deal with reports of migrants boats making the crossing on the tail end of Storm Betty, when winds and waves were still treacherous.
One source, who works the Channel on a daily basis told GB News it was "very risky to push small boats out into those conditions."
He said Storm Betty had just pushed through the Channel in the early hours today, bringing heavy thunderstorms and strong winds.
People smugglers were condemned for their 'reckless' attitude
GB News
"The tail end of Betty was still producing moderate winds and the waves were still churning in the middle of the Channel when these migrant boats set off from the French coast."
Another maritime source said the decision to try to cross in those conditions was "reckless".
Three small boats made it to UK waters just after first light.
Those onboard the first boat were picked up by the Dover lifeboat and taken to Dover harbour around 7:30am.
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The Dungeness lifeboat and Border Force vessel Ranger picked up the occupants of two other boats a short time later.
GB News' Kent producer estimated at least 100 people were on the three boats.
One source said: "It's clear the criminal gangs have put fewer people on the boats they launched overnight, to try to ensure they make it past the winds and the waves in the middle of the Channel.
"But this is reckless. Just seven days after last weekend's tragedy, they clearly couldn't care less."
Last Saturday, six Afghan men died, and least one other is still missing, after their small boat got into difficulties five miles off Calais.
Survivors said more than 65 people had been crammed onto the boat.
The Dungeness lifeboat and Border Force vessel Ranger picked up the occupants of two other boats a short time later
GB News
Two Iraqi Kurds and two Sudanese men were arrested during the week and have now been charged with offences including manslaughter and people smuggling.
Including today's arrivals, almost 1,500 people have crossed the English Channel since last Saturday.
GB News Political Editor Christopher Hope revealed on Friday that more than 25,000 migrants had crossed the English Channel since Rishi Sunak came to power last October.
He said the figure "drives home the point that this is not a legacy issue for the Prime Minister. It's one that's happening right on his watch.
"One in four of all crossings since 2018 have happened when he's been in 10 Downing Street."
Border Force officials are preparing for a series of so called ‘Red days’ from as early as Sunday.
The internal Red Alert warning predicts a run of near perfect conditions in the Channel, which could see very large numbers of people attempt to make the illegal crossing.