Harwich incident: Two people rescued in Border Force search and rescue mission off Essex coast
A Home Office spokesman says the department will provide further details once the situation has been resolved.
Tuesday 26 October 2021 19:55, UK
Two men have been rescued from the sea off the Essex coast.
Border Force and the UK Coastguard worked on the coordinated response following an incident near the port town of Harwich on Monday.
RNLI boats from Harwich and Walton and Frinton were involved in the operation, but have since been stood down.
A coastguard helicopter from Lydd was sent to the area along with a fixed-wing aircraft.
The Home Office said two men travelling in a small boat, both Somali nationals, had been rescued.
Harwich lifeboat launched at 4.05pm on Monday, returned and then launched again at 11.35pm, before going back to shore at 8am on Tuesday.
A search and rescue operation for a third man reported to have entered the sea in international waters was carried out, but no one was found.
The Home Office said the search concluded at 2pm on Tuesday and the rescued men are "being processed within the immigration rules".
Another 143 people in small boats were rescued or intercepted by UK authorities on Tuesday, while French officials stopped 137 people from reaching Britain.
Maritime and Coastguard Agency said in a statement: "HM Coastguard will continue to safeguard life around the seas and coastal areas of the UK, working with search and rescue resources in the area.
"If a vessel needs search and rescue assistance, HM Coastguard will continue to respond and rescue those in danger."
The Home Office said: "While the investigation into this incident continues, it is a reminder of the extreme dangers of crossing the Channel in small boats and the callous disregard for life shown by the criminal gangs.
"We are determined to do everything we can to prevent people dying in the Channel."