Group of migrants found in Thames cargo ship, Sky sources say

A group of migrants has been found on a cargo container ship in the Thames Estuary, Sky sources say.

Authorities are dealing with the ongoing incident where the group was discovered stowed away on the 236-metre long cargo ship, the Grande Tema.

An official source has told Sky News that authorities are currently trying to resolve the situation, which has been ongoing for several hours.

The vessel had been travelling eastwards through the English Channel when the migrants were discovered this morning.

Maritime navigational tracking sites show the vessel circling around a position north east of Margate.

Police say officers are dealing with the incident and it is not being treated as a “hostage, piracy or terror-related incident”.

An Essex Police statement said: “We continue to deal with a complex incident on board a vessel that is in the Thames Estuary close to the Essex and Kent borders.

“This follows a call relating to the safety of crew on board at around 9.15am today, Friday, December 21.

“We have received no reports that anyone has been harmed and don’t believe they are at risk. We are not treating this as either a hostage, piracy or terror related incident.

“We are working closely with our partners to resolve this incident as quick as possible.

“We are not in a position to provide any details about who is on board at this stage.”

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(c) Sky News 2018: Group of migrants found in Thames cargo ship, Sky sources say