This is the first major rescue operation on the canal since November 2021, when 27 people perished when their rubber boat sank.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to MPs on Tuesday about illegal immigration through the Channel. Lots of people will cross over to the British Isle there. “We have to stop the boats. This government is going to do what it has to do.” Albanians in particular have made the crossing in recent months.

Almost 45,000 people have crossed the channel so far in 2022 – a record. Critics say UK policy forces migrants to try to enter the country illegally because asylum cannot be legally sought outside the UK.