An unfortunate incident occurred in the English Channel early Saturday morning when an overloaded migrant boat capsized, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals and the rescue of over 50 others, according to French authorities. The Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea reported that around 65 people were estimated to have been on board the boat, and there is a possibility that two individuals are still missing at sea.
During the rescue operation, six people were found to be in critical condition. Unfortunately, one of them, who was airlifted to a hospital in Calais, did not survive, and the other five also passed away after being brought to shore.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne expressed her condolences on social media, stating, “This morning, a migrant boat capsized off Calais. My thoughts are with the victims.”
These tragic deaths occurred amidst the efforts of the Conservative party in the UK to address the issue of migrants crossing the English Channel in unsafe boats. Various policies implemented by the party have faced criticism for their failure to effectively prevent such crossings.
French authorities have observed a significant increase in attempted crossings since Thursday, coinciding with milder weather conditions. British authorities reported that on Thursday alone, 755 individuals crossed the channel in small boats, marking the highest daily number this year.
It is worth noting that the number of small boat arrivals has decreased by 15% compared to the previous year. As of Thursday, a total of 15,826 arrivals had been detected this year, compared to 18,600 at the same time last year.
Tragically, similar incidents have occurred in the past. In 2020, five migrants died, and four went missing while attempting to cross from the northern coast of France. In November 2021, a boat carrying migrants sank, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals.
In response to this recent tragedy, UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman acknowledged the “extreme dangers” associated with crossing the Channel in small boats. Efforts to break the business model of people smugglers and prevent such risky crossings remain a priority for the government.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made “stop the boats” a central focus of his political platform; however, his efforts have faced obstacles. The proposed legislation aims to deport refugees who arrive illegally back to their home country or a safe third country. Plans to fly individuals to Rwanda have faced opposition, with the Supreme Court currently reviewing the case.
Critics, including charity groups for refugees and members of the Labour Party, have strongly condemned Sunak’s policies. Even fellow Tories have voiced criticism, particularly regarding the recent barge incident. The barge Bibby Stockholm, intended to house asylum seekers, had to be evacuated after legionnaires’ disease bacteria were discovered in the water.
Member of Parliament David Davis emphasized the importance of expediting asylum claim processing and criticized the Home Office’s handling of the situation. Steve Smith, CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais, expressed profound sadness over the preventable loss of life. Smith emphasized the need for a safe passage system to the UK, which would effectively dismantle the operations of people smugglers.
Following a distress call from a migrant vessel near Sangatte in France, a joint search and rescue operation involving British and French vessels was launched. French ships, along with a helicopter and a plane, scoured the area, while British ships also participated in the search. Approximately 36 individuals were transported to the port of Calais by a French boat, and at least 22 were brought to Dover by UK rescuers.
The incident is currently being investigated by the Boulogne prosecutor’s office.
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