Two men have been arrested and six people taken to hospital after they were found in the back of a lorry that was onboard a ferry in an East Sussex port, police have said. One of the men was arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK and the other for illegally entering the UK. Both were being held in custody. Border Force and Sussex police attended Newhaven ferry port along with several ambulances. Footage circulating online appeared to show a person wrapped in a foil blanket being wheeled off a ferry on a stretcher. Martin Sinnock, whose home overlooks the entrance to Newhaven harbour, said he saw a large emergency services presence, including a helicopter landing on the quayside, shortly after the ferry arrived on Friday morning. “I heard the air ambulance helicopter shortly after the ferry arrived this morning,” he said. “I watched it circle the area and land on the ferry quayside. I could see a large emergency services presence. There had been no announcement locally that there was an exercise taking place so I immediately suspected that there had been an incident on the ferry. “I’m always aware of the tragic situation that asylum seekers face. It is deeply sad to know that they have to take desperate measures to try and find asylum.” A police spokesperson said: “We are currently supporting Border Force, who are the leading agency, and other emergency services after a number of people were found on a lorry on a boat in Newhaven port. “A man has been arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal entry to the UK, and a second man has been arrested for illegally entering the UK. The ambulance service has taken six further people to hospital for treatment.” Sussex emergency services confirmed they were called to Newhaven ferry port at about 9.40am. The port remains open and ferry services are running as usual. A spokesman for the ferry operator DFDS confirmed people were found onboard its Seven Sisters vessel. “Immediate medical attention was provided and as per normal procedure, relevant authorities were contacted. From there on our crew followed their instructions.” A Home Office spokesperson said: “Border Force are supporting emergency services in response to an incident at Newhaven ferry port. While the incident is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.” The spokesperson refused to release any further detail about the arrests. Responding to media reports about the incident, the Lewes MP, Maria Caulfield, whose constituency includes Newhaven, said in a post on X: “Very concerned about these reports. From my office in Newhaven we can see lots of activity opposite at the port and thanks to the emergency services responding.”