Person charged after six migrants were found in freezer lorry at Newhaven ferry port
A PERSON has been charged after migrants were found in the back of a freezer lorry at Newhaven ferry port.
The Home Office did not name the person charged over the incident in East Sussex yesterday, which sparked a major response from emergency services.
Dozens of police officers, paramedics and Border Force officials descended on the port at around 10am yesterday.
The group of migrants were found in the back of a freezer lorry that had travelled on a ferry from Dieppe, France.
Six people have been taken to hospital after being found in the vehicle.
Shocked passengers told how a ferry company worker used an axe to smash his way into the lorry after hearing desperate banging from inside.
The freed migrants were wrapped in foil blankets and were seen being stretchered away to hospital.
A spokesperson for the department said: “Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and emergency services continue to investigate an incident in Newhaven on Friday February 16.
“An individual has been charged with assisting unlawful entry into the UK.
“While the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Border Force and police were at the scene, while pictures showed several ambulances were in attendance.
South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called to the port at 9.40 in the morning.
Border Force authorities in the UK were alerted of the major incident before the ferry arrived on British soil.
Yesterday, a Sussex Police spokesperson said: “We are supporting Border Force, who are the lead agency, and other emergency services after a number of people were found on a lorry on a boat in Newhaven Port.
“A man has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK, and a second man has been arrested for illegally entering the UK.
“The ambulance service has taken six people to hospital for treatment.”