Young teen among 4 killed when dinghy sank freezing Channel as rescue services continue desperate search after saving 43 | The Sun
A YOUNG teen is among four people who died after a dinghy crossing the Channel sank in the freezing water.
As many as 12 of those hauled from the water during the international rescue effort were unaccompanied asylum seeking children, it has emerged.
The young teen was pronounced as among the dead by leader of Dungeness council, near where the incident in Kent happened.
A major rescue operation is still ongoing in the sea with a further four people missing and feared dead.
A total of 43 people were recovered from the water on Wednesday, including the dead.
Four more people are reported to be missing and feared dead.
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Roger Gough, leader of Kent County Council, described the tragedy as "a sobering reminder of the human costs of what is an on-going crisis".
Speaking to the council today, Conservative Cllr Gough said: "Our staff have been working with the NHS and with other partners to establish wrap-around care for those who have been brought from the water."
The people on board the boat included men, women and children from Senegal, Afghanistan, India and Iraq.
A phone call was made at 2.53am from one man whose family were in the water, he screams: "Please help me bro, please, please, please.
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"We are in the water and we have a family."
The search and rescue operation was launched after authorities were first alerted to the incident at 3.05am.
The Maritime and Coastguard agency asked anyone sailing in the channel "report any sightings" in the water to the coastguard.
Extraordinary footage later emerged of Ray Strachan's fishing vessel dragging 31 migrants onboard after coming across the capsized dinghy.
Some of the crew were only T-Shirts despite the sub-zero temperatures.
International rescue efforts carried on through the night, with as many as 14 boats, four helicopters and a fixed-wing plane.
A drone is understood to havebeen deployed on Thursday to scour the water for the missing.
An air ambulance landed at Dover marina just before 8.30am yesterday and ambulances lined the harbourside as forensic tents were put up by emergency services.
Two of those 39 who were rescued alive were taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, Kent, which remained open to the public throughout the day.
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A Home Office spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragic incident and with the families of those who have lost their lives."
A vigil will be held for those who have died at an event in Walmer Green, Deal, Kent, at 5.30pm this evening.
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