Sudanese man, 21, is arrested in Dover after woman ‘died trying to cross the English Channel’
- It comes after a woman was found dead on beach near Calais on Tuesday
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A Sudanese man has been arrested in Dover following the death of a woman who is believed to have died while trying to cross the English channel.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the 21-year-old was arrested on suspicion of illegal entry and facilitating illegal immigration on Wednesday.
His arrest came after a woman was found dead on a beach near Calais on Tuesday.
He is suspected to have been piloting a boat that entered UK waters the same day the women’s body was found.
The woman’s death is being investigated by French police, supported by the NCA and Kent Police.
A Sudanese man has been arrested in Dover following the death of a woman who is believed to have died while trying to cross the English channel. Pictured: Migrants crossing the English Channel in August
On Tuesday alone 212 asylum seekers were recorded making the perilous journey on Tuesday – including a number of small children. Pictured: Migrants arriving yesterday into Dover
NCA deputy director Craig Turner said: ‘This incident demonstrates the danger posed to those making these crossings.
‘Targeting the criminal networks involved is a priority for the NCA, and we are working with French partners to identify those responsible for this tragic death.’
The arrest comes as new figures revealed more than 24,000 migrants cross the English channel in dinghies this year.
On Tuesday alone 212 asylum seekers were recorded making the perilous journey on Tuesday – including a number of small children.
Migrants packed onto three boats were rescued and brought to the Port of Dover yesterday with small children wrapped up in puffer jackets seen arriving at the major port, alongside young men and women.
The photographs came just hours after Home Secretary Suella Braverman claimed those crossing the channel were not facing ‘imminent peril’.
The crossing has become even more deadly in recent months as it was revealed traffickers are putting more migrants onto each boat to make up for money lost after they were forced to reduce Channel crossing prices to attract poorer asylum seekers.