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Fifteen asylum seekers inside tanker causes port of Dover emergency Asylum seekers found inside tanker spark Port of Dover emergency
(about 2 hours later)
Fifteen asylum seekers have been found in a tanker on board a cross-Channel ferry at the Port of Dover.Fifteen asylum seekers have been found in a tanker on board a cross-Channel ferry at the Port of Dover.
The port declared a "critical incident" after the discovery on P&O's Spirt of France on Wednesday. The port declared a "critical incident" after the discovery on P&O's Spirt of France on Wednesday. It is understood that the asylum seekers were found after banging was heard from the sides of the lorry as the 7.45am Calais-Dover ferry berthed at the port.
A spokeswoman for the port said: "Emergency services are at the scene and are dealing with the situation in close co-operation with port staff. Thirteen of the asylum seekers are non-critical but three have been taken to hospital. Two drivers are in custody."A spokeswoman for the port said: "Emergency services are at the scene and are dealing with the situation in close co-operation with port staff. Thirteen of the asylum seekers are non-critical but three have been taken to hospital. Two drivers are in custody."
Examination of the tanker is ongoing but powder found in the vehicle has been confirmed as non-hazardous, the spokeswoman added. The tanker was being examined but powder found in the vehicle has been confirmed as non-hazardous, the spokeswoman added.
A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called to the incident at 8.30am and sent nine vehicles, including three ambulances. Three people were taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, while others continue to be assessed at the scene. A spokesman for South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called to the incident at 8.30am and sent nine vehicles, including three ambulances. Three people were taken to William Harvey Hospital in Ashford, while others continued to be assessed at the scene.
Kent fire and rescue service said it was called to the incident at 8.45am and sent six fire engines and specialist equipment to the scene "to assist with rescuing a number of people". The port of Dover police, assisted by Kent police, and the Border Control Agency were also on the scene. Kent fire and rescue service said it was called to the incident at 8.45am and sent six fire engines and specialist equipment "to assist with rescuing a number of people". Port of Dover police, assisted by Kent police also attended the scene. A Border Force spokesman said it was working with the emergency services. "It follows the discovery of a number of suspected illegal migrants on board a lorry," he said.
The port remains open and ferry services are currently unaffected. The port remained open and ferry services were unaffected.
A P&O spokeswoman said the company currently had no comment to make. A P&O spokesman said the Spirit of France would be delayed by the incident but was expected to resume sailing by the end of the morning.
He said: "P&O Ferries is helping the police with their investigations into the incident involving the Spirit of France."
In 2000, 58 Chinese immigrants were found dead in the back of a sealed truck in Dover on one of the hottest days of the year. The Dutch lorry driver was subsequently sentenced to 14 years in jail for their manslaughter.
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