Migrant’s ‘decoy 999 call’ to avoid detection

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

Around 30 migrants landed on a Kent beach after making a false emergency call about a sinking boat, likely to mislead border authorities and avoid detection. This tactic complicates rescue efforts and raises concerns about the growing difficulty of securing the UK’s Channel coastline against unauthorized arrivals.

A group of approximately 30 migrants who landed on a Kent beach may have used a false emergency call as a diversion to avoid detection by border authorities, according to fishermen and border officials. The migrants reportedly made a 999 call claiming their boat was sinking but did not provide a location, potentially diverting rescue operations away from their actual landing spot.

The incident occurred on Tuesday near Samphire Hoe, close to Dover. Fishermen present in the Channel at the time noted that the migrants’ emergency call lacked crucial information about their position. At 9:38 a.m., French authorities issued an alert via an open radio channel, requesting assistance from ships in the vicinity to search for a sinking migrant vessel. However, the alert conveyed no coordinates, leaving vessels without a clear area to target.

A local fisherman described the crossing as suspicious, noting that despite the distress call, the boat appeared to be in good condition when it reached shore. He added that given the proximity to the coast—approximately two and a half hours from land—the claim of sinking did not align with the vessel's state or location.

Border Security Command detained 21 migrants from this group upon arrival, while the remaining migrants were reported missing. Authorities have expressed concern about the security risks posed by "uncontrolled landings," which allow individuals to bypass standard arrival checks and screenings for small boats entering the UK.

This landing followed an earlier incident on Monday when a separate dinghy carrying five migrants landed undetected at The Warren, a rocky area near Folkestone. All five individuals were subsequently detained.

The method used by this group raises questions about the tactics employed by migrants to evade capture by Border Force vessels and other maritime responders. By issuing a decoy emergency call without specific location details, they may have aimed to draw rescue resources away from their actual landing point, facilitating a covert arrival.

Officials continue to monitor and investigate these incidents amid ongoing increases in small boats crossing the Channel, highlighting challenges in managing and securing vulnerable maritime borders in the region.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.