TIRANA, May 31 – Albanian migrants are taking bigger risks to get to Britain as highlighted by the recent rescue of a boat of migrants, the majority of which Albanian citizens, in the English Channel last weekend.
The dinghy boat carrying 20 people, including 18 Albanian migrants, was rescued off the coast of Kent by the British coastguard on Sunday after it began taking in water.
The episode has sparked fears that tragedies similar to those seen in the Mediterranean could repeat in the English Channel.
It also suggests that Albanians are increasingly attempting alternative routes to reach the United Kingdom, which is outside the Schengen zone and requires an entry visa for Albanian nationals.
Another method frequently used by Albanian undocumented migrants to sneak into the United Kingdom is by luxury yachts, often avoiding main ports where security is higher.
About a week ago, British police found 17 Albanians hidden aboard a yacht at the marina in Chichester, which is not used as an entry point for foreign travel.
Dutch police frequently detain Albanian nationals trying to make it to Britain aboard luxury yachts despite costs of several thousand pounds associated with the trip.
Numbers are hard to estimate, but the number of Albanians detained in Netherlands for attempting to illegally enter Britain is on the rise.
British media report that as border officials were questioning the suspected migrants caught off the coast of Kent on Sunday, Dutch authorities intercepted an attempt to smuggle Vietnamese and Albanian asylum seekers across the North Sea.
The problem is not confined to the Netherlands alone as growing numbers of Albanians are trying to smuggle themselves into UK-bound ships from the German port of Cuxhaven, according to reports.
British authorities lament the fact that after being sent back they are released and are free to try again.
The rescue of the group of Albanian migrants, which included two children, was also seized by Brexit backers, who want Britain outside of the European Union.
Chris Grayling, Leader of the House of Commons, and a fervent Brexit campaigner, urged authorities to refuse asylum to Albanians, which he considered as economic migrants, UK media report.
Many are crediting the rescue of the boat and the subsequent media coverage for the sudden surge in polls for the Leave campaign.
