It is understood a small migrant boat got into difficulties around 3am and started sinking around 30 miles west of Dover.
A passing fishing boat raised the alarm after the skipper was woken by one of his crew who discovered migrants. The fishermen counted around 45 people holding on to collapsed dingy. The fishermen in temperatures of -3C spent two hours pulling people from the water and managed to rescue 31 people from the icy sea.
A large-scale search and rescue operation was launched and coordinated by HM Coastguard at Dover with RNLI lifeboats from Dover paged at 3:07am, Ramsgate paged at 3:24am, and Hastings 4:55am. They were joined by the Royal, The French Coastguard, and Two coastguard helicopters and another local fishing boat. Later Dungeness lifeboat also was launched to assist in searching for possible more casualties.
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “HM Coastguard is currently coordinating a search and rescue response to an incident involving a small boat off Kent, working with the Navy, Border Force, Kent Police, and other partners.
“We have sent Dover, Dungeness, Hastings, and Ramsgate RNLI lifeboats and Deal, Dungeness, and Folkestone coastguard rescue teams, along with the coastguard area commander.
“HM Coastguard helicopters from Lydd and Lee on Solent and one from the French Navy are involved. A fishing vessel in the area is also assisting in the rescue. South East Coast Ambulance and Kent Police are working with us and an air ambulance has been sent.
“The incident is ongoing and we have no further information.”
A Government spokesperson said: “At 0305 today, authorities were alerted to an incident in the Channel concerning a migrant small boat in distress.
“After a coordinated search and rescue operation led by HM Coastguard, it is with regret that there have been four confirmed deaths as a result of this incident, investigations are ongoing and we will provide further information in due course.
