At least six individuals tragically lost their lives, while more than 50 were successfully rescued after a migrant boat attempting to cross the English Channel from France capsized early on Sunday. French authorities immediately launched a large-scale rescue operation around 6 a.m. local time as multiple migrant boats attempted to make the crossing simultaneously. According to local mayor Franck Dhersin, several of the boats encountered grave difficulties, and unfortunately, dead bodies were discovered near the coastal town of Sangatte. The French marine authorities have confirmed the six deaths and ongoing search-and-rescue operations.
In recent years, thousands of migrants have risked their lives attempting the dangerous crossing from France to England in search of asylum. Human traffickers take advantage of their vulnerable situation by overcrowding makeshift dinghies that are barely seaworthy, leaving the migrants at the mercy of waves and heavy shipping traffic en route to Britain. A volunteer who was aboard one of the rescue boats described how they managed to save 54 people from the capsized craft. She recounted the desperate scene of migrants using their shoes to bail out water from the overloaded and sinking boat.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne expressed her condolences and announced that junior Maritime Affairs Minister Herve Berville would be heading to Calais, where one of the migrant boats capsized. The British coastguard also provided assistance by deploying a lifeboat, a coastguard rescue team, and ambulance staff. British Home Secretary Suella Braverman conveyed her sympathy for the loss of life in the Channel, highlighting the collaboration between the British and French authorities in responding to the incident.
According to the UK government, over 100,000 migrants have attempted the crossing from France to England since 2018, with nearly 16,000 attempts made this year alone. The British government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has vowed to crack down on illegal immigration. However, the Conservative Party has faced criticism for not taking sufficient action to address the issue. While crossings have reportedly decreased by 20% compared to last year, the Labour Party has accused Sunak’s government of being unable to resolve the backlog of tens of thousands of asylum claims while new migrants continue to arrive.
As the UK grapples with the influx of migrants, the cost of housing them in hotels amounts to £6 million ($7.4 million) per day. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has pledged to “stop the boats,” aiming to address the concerns raised within his party. Reuters provided additional information for this report.
[Author’s Bio: Chris Pandolfo is a writer for Fox News Digital. Feel free to send tips to [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @ChrisCPandolfo.]
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