Two persons were arrested in the UK today after 15 asylum seekers were found hidden in a tanker on board a cross-Channel ferry at a southern English port.
Three of the illegal immigrants have been taken to hospital after 15 were discovered on board the P&O's Spirit of France ferry at the Port of Dover, the port police said.
A Port of Dover Police spokesman said: "The Port of Dover can confirm that a critical incident is under way" concerning 15 asylum seekers found in a tanker on board the P&O's ferry.
He said 12 people were "non-critical" but three had been taken to hospital. Two drivers have been taken into custody.
Emergency services are at the scene and are dealing with the situation in close co-operation with port staff, he said.
The port is still open and ferry services are currently unaffected.
A powder found in the vehicle has been confirmed as "non-hazardous", the port said.
The nationality of the asylum seekers is yet to be established, the police said.
Six fire engines and specialist equipment were sent to the port, Kent Fire and Rescue Service said.
Police, UK Border Agency and HMRC (Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs) officers were also called to the scene.
A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Border Force is working with Kent Police, Kent Fire and Rescue Services and South East Coast Ambulances Services at an incident in Dover's Eastern Docks.
"It follows the discovery of a number of suspected illegal migrants on board a lorry."
A P&O spokeswoman said the company currently had no comment to make.
