The Home Office has confirmed that a person who was at the Manston asylum processing centre has died in hospital today (November 19).
On its social media platform the Home Office states: “A person staying at our Manston facility has sadly died in hospital this morning after becoming unwell. We express our heartfelt condolences to all those affected.
“We take the safety of those in our care extremely seriously and are profoundly saddened by this event. A post-mortem examination will take place so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
The Telegraph reports the death was a man who had arrived in the UK via a small boat crossing this month,
It is understood the death was not caused by infectious disease. There have been cases of diphtheria, scabies and norovirus reported at the centre previously.
The cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Ramsgate county councillor Karen Constantine said she is backing calls for an independent inquest.
She added: “My thoughts are with his family and friends, what a tragic and sad loss.
“The full facts need to be established quickly. I’ll be writing to KCC leader Roger Gough – I’m seeking access and have been for months. He has yet to reply It seems our political leaders do not feel either a sense of concern or responsibility nor feel motivated to meet their legal duties.
“As many are saying – no-one knows what exactly is going on. That should worry everyone. Why is there such secrecy? Why can’t we get inside? Why are the general public prevented from showing support?”
At the end of October numbers at the site swelled to some 4,000 people following a high number of Channel crossings and a firebomb attack at the Dover asylum facility necessitating the move of some 700 people. The centre is designed to process 1,600 people.