Asylum seekers drama

ASYLUM seekers threatened to drop their children over the side of a cross-Channel ferry when they feared they would not be allowed to come ashore at Newhaven Harbour.

A group of Romanian immigrants ran amok on the Transmanche Sardinia Vera on Tuesday afternoon after immigration officers boarded the ship as it docked.

Officers had become suspicious on seeing the ship's manifest which included the group of eight adults and eight children who were travelling in three cars. It is believed they were all using forged Italian passports which were not identified at Dieppe.

As they were approached by immigration officers the group scattered and attempted to force their way off the ferry.

A Transmanche spokesman described how all 'hell broke loose' as the group became fearful they would be sent back across the Channel without being allowed off the ferry.

In an act of desperation, crying mothers threatened to throw their children into the water below. The spokesman said: 'They were running around on board. Some of the women were hanging children over the edge of the water and threatening to throw them in the harbour.'

The threat was not carried out but the Coastguard and Newhaven Lifeboat were alerted in case a child was dropped from the ferry.

Police eventually rounded up the group and they were allowed to leave the ship. It is not believed anyone was injured in the scuffles which ensued. Police confirmed no arrests were made.

An Immigration Office spokesman said: 'The ferry arrived in Newhaven at approximately 3pm. Immigration officers boarded the ferry and questioned the group. The group were found to be travelling on false documents. They were interviewed by immigration officers and they all have claimed asylum.'

The group were taken from Newhaven to an undisclosed location and released on Tuesday evening while their asylum applications were processed.