19 people rescued from inflatable boat in English Channel

Nineteen people have been rescued from the English Channel after the inflatable boat they were in started taking on water.

The UK Coastguard received a call for assistance just off the coast of Dymchurch in Kent, at 11.40pm on Saturday.

A search and rescue helicopter was deployed as well as lifeboats from Dungeness and Littlestone, and coastguard rescue teams from Dungeness and Folkestone.

The rhib (rigid-hulled inflatable boat), with 19 people on board, was found at 2am and the matter was handed over to Border Force.