London: Metropolitan Police and British Immigration service officials on October 21 interrogated 16 Indians including two unaccompanied children, who illegally entered into the UK and sought asylum.

A home office spokesman told reporters that all the 16 detained on October 19 are Indians and "They are being questioned separately".

"We can confirm 14 adults and two unaccompanied minors were detected at Hull on October 19 morning by customs and excise officers," the spokesman said.

"They entered the UK by hiding in the back of a lorry. Customs and Excise officers who were using X-ray technology to find smuggled goods. Instead they found people," he said.

"They are all Indians and have all claimed asylum. The two children are in the care of social services. They are not related to any of the adults. We are looking whether we can prosecute the driver, who is Italian, for the illegal entry."

The detention comes a day after Britain announced measures to tighten Visa system to a number of countries including India.

The issue of asylum seekers from India figured prominently during discussions British Prime Minister Tony Blair had with Indian Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani during the latter's visit to Britain a few months ago.

According to the newly appointed British High Commissioner to India, Michael Arthur, an estimated 2,000 asylum seekers from India are currently here, though applications of most of them have been turned down.

PTI