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A major rescue operation took place after a small boat believed to be carrying around 50 refugees ran aground on a sandbank in the English Channel off the Kent coast.
Coastguard helicopter rescue teams and RNLI lifeboats were involved in the rescue mission which unfolded on Goodwin Sands off the Deal coast.
The rescuers were facing a race against time as the tide was turning and they knew the sandbank would soon be underwater again.
The group of people stranded on the sandbank have now all been rescued safely.
The 10-mile stretch of sandbank is a notorious hazard location which has seen the loss of many lives over the years.
HM Coastguard confirmed it was alerted to the situation at around 7.45am on Saturday and lifeboats and a helicopter were tasked to the rescue mission.
A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard has been coordinating the response to an incident involving a small boats vessel on the Goodwin Sands.
“Alerted at around 7:45am today, Walmer and Ramsgate lifeboats and HM Coastguard helicopter from Lydd were tasked.
“Everyone was rescued safely and disembarked to the relevant partner emergency services or authorities.
The Coastguard agency added it will continue to work with partners to respond to those in distress around the seas and coastal areas of the UK.
The stranded boat is believed to be one of four small migrant boats which crossed UK waters this morning.
Earlier this week on Tuesday, five people, including a seven-year-old girl, were killed in a crush on board a boat crossing the Channel. The boat was carrying 112 people at the time of the tragedy.
Authorities said the boat ran aground on a sandbank after leaving Wimereux, near Boulogne, before continuing on its journey.
Police have arrested three men in connection with the deaths of the five migrants.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated
