Emergency call for sinking boat with refugees, but they can continue

The fire brigade set up an aid station in Koksijde-Sint-Idesbald. A rescue helicopter NH-90 from Koksijde base also took off. It turned out that the boat was actually in French waters and that it was not actually in distress. The operation was therefore called off after a while when it turned out that there were no people in need. Taking them out of the boat, by the way, would be more dangerous than letting them sail on.

The shipping police followed the boat from a distance. The British authorities have meanwhile been notified. The refugees will therefore probably be arrested when they arrive in England.