Latest news with #HMCoastguard
Sky News
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Sky News
Coastguard responded to 'multiple incidents' involving small boats in Channel
The UK coastguard has said it responded to "multiple incidents" involving small boats in the Channel on Friday. HM Coastguard said Border Force and RNLI vessels had been deployed as part of the response. It came hours after Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced a deal they said was designed to crack down on small boats. The number of crossings tends to be higher when the weather in the Channel is calm, as it was on Friday morning. At least 21,000 people have already made the journey since January, putting 2025 on course to be a record year for crossings. The latest Home Office figures show 573 people made the crossing in 10 boats on Thursday. According to the Red Cross, many people cross the English Channel in the hopes of finding and joining family who have already made it to the UK. It says people are often separated from their loved ones as they flee their homes or on their journey in search of safety, which can take many years. Hundreds more migrants arrive on 'red day' Sadiya Chowdhury News correspondent @esadiya Today is an example of what the Home Office calls a "red day". It's 22C at the port of Dover, the wave level is low and visibility is good. The government says these conditions increase the likelihood of small boat crossings. Within an hour of us arriving, a Border Force vessel docks and a stream of people wearing bright lifejackets walk off and up the jetty to an asylum processing tent. Someone is carrying what looks like a small child - 81 people have arrived on this boat. It's deceiving standing on this cliff top, looking out at the blue-green English Channel glistening in the sunshine. This is not the calm body of water it appears to be. One of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, the journey across from France is treacherous, and as full of risks as it may be of hope and ambition. Judging by the numbers Sky News teams have counted today (296 arrivals so far), those making the journey have not been deterred by the prime minister's deal with the French. The UK hosts less than 1% of the world's refugees, with 71% seeking safety in neighbouring countries to their own. For example, the Red Cross says Jordan currently hosts 1.3 million refugees from neighbouring Syria. Many of those seeking refuge in the UK rather than other European countries do so because they can speak English. Under the terms of the "one in, one out" scheme agreed between the UK and France, people who cross the Channel will be returned to France each week in exchange for the same number of asylum seekers who have been accepted to come to the UK. Speaking next to France's President Emmanuel Macron at a news conference in north west London, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would come into force in a matter of "weeks". "Migrants arriving via small boat will be detained and returned to France in short order," he said. "In exchange for every return, a different individual will be allowed to come here via a safe route - controlled and legal - subject to strict security checks, and only open to those who have not tried to enter the UK illegally." The prime minister said the arrangement would begin as a "pilot", with reports suggesting that just 50 people per week will be sent to France back across the Channel.
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- The Irish Sun
Tragedy as man in his 50s dies after ‘getting into difficulty' while swimming at popular UK beach
A MAN has died following a desperate bid to retrieve him from the sea, off the coast of a British beach. Cornwall Police raced to get the man out of the water, scrambling emergency helicopters after he was found unresponsive on July 20. 2 Coastguard forces were scrambled after an unresponsive man was spotted in the sea Credit: Getty 2 Spit Beach is known for its stunning sights Credit: Alamy The 50-year-old man was spotted in the sea at Spit Beach Par after getting "into difficulty" while swimming at around 2.15pm. Police were contacted by HM Coastguard, who scrambled emergency services in a desperate race to reach the unresponsive man. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and South Western Ambulances joined in the rescue effort, with a coastguard helicopter finally retrieving him from the sea. Attempts to save the Hertfordshire man's life were made upon recovering him from the water, but he sadly passed away - despite the emergency services' efforts. Read More on UK News Following the desperate rescue mission, a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police were called by HM Coastguard at 2.15pm on Sunday 20 July after a man was found unresponsive in the sea at Spit Beach, Par. "The man had got into difficulty while swimming and was recovered from the water by the Coastguard helicopter. "Ambulance and the RNLI also attended. "The man was treated at the scene but despite the best efforts of emergency services he was sadly pronounced deceased. Most read in The Sun "He was in his 50s and from Hertfordshire. "The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner." Previously, the force had released a statement saying they were called to Spit Beach at Par, following an alert from HM Coastguard near St Austell. Spit Beach is popular with dog walkers and, according to St Austell's tourist page, very much a local's favourite. The beach looks out to the channel, which is notoriously difficult to swim in. The ice cold temperatures, strong currents and unpredictable weather have even led some to brand the channel as the "Everest of open water swimming". More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Tragedy as man in his 50s dies after ‘getting into difficulty' while swimming at popular UK beach
Police say the man was treated at the scene by emergency services BEACH HORROR Tragedy as man in his 50s dies after 'getting into difficulty' while swimming at popular UK beach Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN has died following a desperate bid to retrieve him from the sea, off the coast of a British beach. Cornwall Police raced to get the man out of the water, scrambling emergency helicopters after he was found unresponsive on July 20. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Coastguard forces were scrambled after an unresponsive man was spotted in the sea Credit: Getty 2 Spit Beach is known for its stunning sights Credit: Alamy The 50-year-old man was spotted in the sea at Spit Beach Par after getting "into difficulty" while swimming at around 2.15pm. Police were contacted by HM Coastguard, who scrambled emergency services in a desperate race to reach the unresponsive man. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and South Western Ambulances joined in the rescue effort, with a coastguard helicopter finally retrieving him from the sea. Attempts to save the Hertfordshire man's life were made upon recovering him from the water, but he sadly passed away - despite the emergency services' efforts. Following the desperate rescue mission, a spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Police were called by HM Coastguard at 2.15pm on Sunday 20 July after a man was found unresponsive in the sea at Spit Beach, Par. "The man had got into difficulty while swimming and was recovered from the water by the Coastguard helicopter. "Ambulance and the RNLI also attended. "The man was treated at the scene but despite the best efforts of emergency services he was sadly pronounced deceased. "He was in his 50s and from Hertfordshire. "The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner." Previously, the force had released a statement saying they were called to Spit Beach at Par, following an alert from HM Coastguard near St Austell. Spit Beach is popular with dog walkers and, according to St Austell's tourist page, very much a local's favourite. The beach looks out to the channel, which is notoriously difficult to swim in. The ice cold temperatures, strong currents and unpredictable weather have even led some to brand the channel as the "Everest of open water swimming". More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
New York Post
5 days ago
- New York Post
These UK seaside towns are blaming ‘horrible smell' on neighboring country
A group of British seaside towns has been hit with a sudden 'horrible smell,' which some have blamed on the French. Locals in Chichester, Bognor, and Littlehampton, in West Sussex, took to social media earlier this week to report a 'strong smell of gas.' Advertisement In 2013, the same area experienced a stink, dubbed Le Pong, which was found to be coming from a chemical plant in Rouen, France. Now, residents fear the French could be sending smells their way again, with some people even posting that they 'feel sick.' West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service says they believe that the smell is coming from the sea, but that if people begin to feel unwell, they should call 999. A spokesperson posted: 'We have had a number of calls from people along the south coast concerned they can smell gas. Advertisement 'It is believed that this might be coming from offshore, rather than a local domestic gas leak. 3 A group of British seaside towns has been hit with a sudden 'horrible smell,' which some have blamed on the French. / SWNS 'We would always encourage anyone who thinks they smell gas to contact their utilities provider. 'If you begin to feel unwell, always dial 999 for emergency medical care.' Advertisement The coastguard has confirmed that they were called to reports of a gas smell, but that they found no cause for concern. A spokesperson said: 'A report of the smell of gas and diesel at Selsey Bill was made to HM Coastguard at about 5:20 pm on July 15. 'West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service was informed. Investigations found no evidence of anything untoward.' 3 In 2013, the same area experienced a stink, dubbed Le Pong, which was found to be coming from a chemical plant in Rouen, France. / SWNS Advertisement On Facebook, many locals have taken to sharing their concerns about the smell, with one user commenting: 'We had it in The Close 2 afternoons running, we thought it was from a dirty exhaust as a van had just pulled away! It was certainly a horrible smell and definitely like gas!' A second user wrote: 'Was working over Wick Littlehampton Tuesday and it stank of gas/egg over there. Had to shut the windows.' Another added: 'It stinks again now over east beach side. Sort of sulphurous and gassy. Woke me up at dawn as well.' Some have speculated that the problem could be a gas leak closer to home, but Dan Brown, spokesperson for gas company SGN, has denied that the smell is coming from their gas network. He said, 'We understand residents might be concerned about the smell in the air in these towns over the last couple of days. 'We've responded to dozens of reports, and our engineers have carried out investigations and safety checks at each reported location. 'There's nothing to suggest the smell is coming from our gas network.' Advertisement Cllr Paul Wells described the scent as a 'very rich, potent gas smell' which was making people 'feel faint'- but says that he is unsure of the cause. The Lib Dem councillor, from Bognor Regis Town Council, said: 'I've not been able to find out where the smell has originated from. 'There has been some suggestion it's come ashore from the Channel. I will be raising it as a question at our next Town Council meeting.' In a statement online, Chichester District Council said: 'The smell is described as strong and unpleasant like a 'rich, potent gas smell' or similar to rotten eggs. Advertisement 3 'The smell is believed to be caused by a gas leak from a chemical factory in Rouen, France, which the wind has carried across the English Channel,' said the Chichester District Council in a statement. / SWNS 'It has been reported along the south coast of England, including Chichester, Bognor Regis, and Littlehampton, as well as Kent, and parts of Surrey and London. 'The smell is believed to be caused by a gas leak from a chemical factory in Rouen, France, which the wind has carried across the English Channel. Advertisement 'While the odour has caused concern and has prompted calls to emergency services, it is not considered dangerous and does not pose a health risk. 'The gas contains mercaptan, an additive used to give gas a detectable odour, even though natural gas itself does not have an odour.'
Scotsman
6 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Ship banned from Tall Ships Race due to Russian sanctions turned away at Orkney
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A ship banned from this weekend's Tall Ships Races in Aberdeen due to Russian sanctions has now been turned away from Orkney as the captain vowed to press on towards the Granite City. The TS Shtandart was turned away by HM Coastguard as it attempted to anchor off the Orkney coast this afternoon (Thursday). Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Earlier this week, captain Vladimir Matus learned the ship had been banned from the Port of Aberdeen and had its Tall Ships Races registration revoked due to sanctions designed to pressure Russia into ending its war with Ukraine. Mr Matus, was born in Russia but said he was half Ukrainian and now a tax citizen of Germany who had never supported the war. After being turned away from Orkney, Mr Matus and his crew of 22 , which represent 13 different nationalities aged between 18 and 70, is now set to anchor of Dunnett Head in Caithness tonight. Mr Matus said: 'They were very polite and very nice at Orkney but we are currently in a very difficult situation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I do not think it is fair that we were not allowed to anchor at Orkney. There is no legal right to ban the ship.' The ship, based on an early 18th Century flagship of Peter the Great, is a replica traditionally-crafted boat used for sail training, which did not qualify for sanctions, Mr Matus said. READ MORE: Ship banned from Tall Ships Races due to Russian sanctions Captain Vladimir Matus | contributed The ship dropped the Russian flag in June last year and now sails under Cook Islands colours following guidance from French authorities. However, the Port of Aberdeen said sanctions applied as the Russian flag was still in use after the relevant legislation which bans Russian vessels from British waters was introduced in 2022. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Matus and his crew have sailed from Dunkirk in order to take part in the Tall Ships Races this weekend, with around 50 vessels from around the world to gather in Aberdeen from Friday. The captain said he still planned to sail close to Aberdeen to join the starting line for the next leg of the race across the North Sea to Norway. Some crew members are set to disembark the ship close to Aberdeen and sail ashore in dinghies. The captain has already been told that he will be denied entry to Kristiansand in Norway and Esbjerg in Denmark. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The decision led to Port of Aberdeen to also ban the ship from entry, with the race organisers, Sail Training International , cancelling his registration. 'We are going to start the race and race according to the rules. The sea is for everyone,' Mr Matus said. The Shtandart has sailed across Europe since 1999, providing training for young sailors and taking part in maritime festivals, including previous Tall Ship Races. Mr Matus earlier told The Scotsman that he last visited Russia 10 years ago. But he now confirmed that he visited the country of his birth in 2022 for two weeks on a business trip to update his seaman's book.
