11 migrants rescued from a dinghy in the English Channel

Eleven migrants have been rescued from a dinghy in the English Channel.

The group, including four children, were rescued off the coast of Dover at 4am on Saturday morning.

According to the Home Office, there were also six men and one woman on board. Eight are Iraqi nationals while three are claiming to be Iranian.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “Border Force was contacted by maritime colleagues at around 4am on Saturday 16 December.

“A Border Force cutter and a lifeboat were deployed to assist a dinghy off the coast of Dover with 11 people on board.”

“They have received a medical assessment and have now been transferred to immigration officials for interview.”

According to the BBC, at least 135 migrants have entered British waters since November 3.

There are claims that migrants are attempting the journey amid fears that border control could be stricter after Britain leaves the EU.

On Thursday, 10 men were rescued from a vessel off the French coast, eight of them were suffering from “severe hypothermia.”