Bishop of Sherborne Karen Gorham has been reacting to today's news.

She said it had "shaken the community" as local church and faith groups had got to know some of the men on board.

"Strangers are becoming friends and so we feel this loss of life acutely," she said, adding that local faith leaders had been asked to provide support following the death.

"We look forward to being able to make more regular welfare visits as the wellbeing of all those on board is vital."

Image source, Diocese of Salisbury

News of the death of an asylum seeker on board the Bibby Stockholm barge comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak separately prepares for a key vote on his flagship Rwanda bill later.

The scheme would see those who arrive in the UK illegally sent to the east African country, where they could claim asylum.

Steve Smith, CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais: "Our thoughts are with the person who has lost their life, their family and their friends. It is also with all those stuck on board the Bibby Stockholm who will be experiencing a deep feeling of grief and worry today.

"The UK Government must take responsibility for this human tragedy. They have wilfully ignored the trauma they are inflicting on people who are sent to the Bibby Stockholm, and the hundreds being accommodated in former military barracks.

"They are being separated from the rest of society and we have witnessed a serious deterioration of people’s mental health.

"This can no longer continue. Asylum seekers are human beings, many of whom have experienced the worst traumas imaginable through war, torture and persecution.

"It’s time our political leaders treated them as human beings, listened to the trauma they have experienced and offered them sanctuary. The Government’s proxy-war against refugees is costing lives."

Richard Drax, Conservative MP for South Dorset, said it was a "tragedy born of an impossible situation".

Mr Drax said: "While I never agreed to, nor accepted the imposition of the barge on South Dorset, I believe it was at least a decent, safe haven for some of those cruelly trafficked across the Channel.

"One can only imagine the desperate circumstances which led to this sad outcome; we must do all that we can to end this evil trade in human misery."

Home Secretary James Cleverly told the Commons that “tragically there has been a death” on board the Bibby Stockholm barge, currently housing migrants in Portland, Dorset.

Speaking to MPs he said: "I’m sure that the thoughts of the whole house, like mine, are with those affected, I’m sure the House will understand that at this stage I’m uncomfortable going into more details but we will of course investigate fully”.

Several sources have told the BBC that the man who died is thought to have taken his own life.

The death happened in one of the more than 200 cabins on board, a source familiar with the incident said.

The age and nationality of the man who has died are yet to be confirmed.

BBC reporter Nick Johnson has the latest updates on the news that an asylum seeker on board the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset has died.

The barge is the first to be used as part of government plans to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation.

There was considerable opposition to the plan, both from local people and national organisations, with campaigners calling it "cruel and inhumane".

It docked at Portland Port in August.

The government says it will help reduce what it says is the £6m-a-day cost of placing asylum seekers in hotels.

Image source, Getty Images

Ann Salter, from campaigning charity Freedom from Torture, said the organisation was "devastated" to learn of the death, describing it as a tragedy.

She added: "It's time this government ends the use of barges and barracks as asylum accommodation once and for all.

"Those seeking protection need to be housed in our communities where they can properly access the support they need to recover and rebuild their lives."

Pictures from Portland taken by the Press Association shortly after 12:00 GMT on Tuesday show a quiet dockside.

Dorset Police said it was notified of a sudden death of a Bibby Stockholm resident just after 06:20 GMT and its officers are carrying out enquiries.

Image source, PA

The barge is in Portland Port, on a scenic peninsula in south Dorset, a destination for cruise and cargo ships.

It is moored on the same spot as a prison ship, used to ease overcrowding for nine years until 2006.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of reporting of an incident involving an asylum seeker on the Bibby Stockholm.  

“It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time”

In a statement, Dorset Police said: "At 6.22am on Tuesday 12 December 2023, Dorset Police received a report of a sudden death of a resident on the Bibby Stockholm.

"Officers are conducting enquiries into the circumstances of the incident.

"The coroner’s office has been notified of the death."

An asylum seeker on board the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset has died.

The three-storey barge, docked off Portland, houses people awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications and has capacity for up to 500 men.

The Home Office said it was aware of reports of an incident involving an asylum seeker on board.

Steve Smith, CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais, said: "Our thoughts are with the person who has lost their life, their family and their friends."