By Alex Jee

A woman is feared dead after a search of the Channel was called off.

The coastguard was scrambled at 1.15pm on Friday after 20 suspected migrants were spotted in a small vessel.

Three people wearing buoyancy aids were seen to enter the water, two of whom were soon located on another boat while a search for the third began.

Yesterday at 2pm both HM Coastguard and the Home Office confirmed that search has ended in the sea near Ramsgate.

The Coastguard began the search on Friday, with efforts being coordinated by the Belgian Coast Guard.

A coastguard spokesman said: "HM Coastguard was contacted just after 1.15pm on Friday by a cargo vessel reporting they could see a number of people in a small vessel, in the Channel, approximately 24 nm off North Foreland.

"Ramsgate RNLI Lifeboat was sent, on arrival they were told that three people who were wearing buoyancy aids had entered the water and were missing.

"Two of the missing were quickly found, on a nearby vessel, however a woman remained unaccounted for."

As part of the original incident, 19 people were rescued and taken to the Kent Intake Unit.

Five of these people were from Iraq and 14 from Iran. Four were children, six were women and nine were men.

They have all been medically assessed and transferred to immigration officials for interview.

The search for the missing woman was first suspended just before 2am yesterday morning and resumed at first light, but was terminated at 2pm after nothing was found.

"The criminal gangs who perpetuate this are ruthless and do not care about loss of life..."

A Home Office spokesman said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this woman at this terrible time.

“The Home Office will continue to liaise with other agencies as the investigation into this incident continues.

“Crossing the Channel in a small boat is a huge risk. The criminal gangs who perpetuate this are ruthless and do not care about loss of life.

“We thank all the agencies at home and abroad who led the rescue attempt.”

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