A boat carrying dozens of migrants sank off the French coast in the English Channel on Tuesday, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 lives, including six children and a pregnant woman.
The boat, which was reportedly overloaded, capsized near Cape Gris-Nez, close to Boulogne-sur-Mer. The French coast guard confirmed that 50 people were rescued, with two survivors currently in critical condition.
According to the local prosecutor’s office, the victims included 10 females and two males. The boat’s bottom reportedly “ripped open” during the journey, and fewer than eight people on board were wearing life jackets, leading to the disaster. The incident is the deadliest in the Channel this year, highlighting the increasing dangers faced by those attempting the perilous crossing.
Local authorities believe that the majority of the victims were of Eritrean origin, though the exact nationalities have not been confirmed. One source suggested that a Syrian smuggler might have been involved in organising the journey.
The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for stronger measures to tackle the ongoing migrant crisis. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin stated that French authorities are preventing 60% of small boat departures. However, the practice of cramming more people onto increasingly unseaworthy vessels has resulted in more frequent and deadlier shipwrecks.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the incident as “horrifying and deeply tragic,” criticising the smuggling gangs responsible for the dangerous crossings. “The effort to dismantle these dangerous and criminal smuggler gangs and to strengthen border security is so vital and must proceed apace,” she emphasised.
Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, expressed deep concern over the rising number of such tragedies, stating: “Every political leader, on both sides of our Channel, needs to be asked: ‘How many lives will be lost before they end these avoidable tragedies?'”
The French coastguard conducted a large-scale rescue operation involving helicopters, Navy boats, and fishing ships. Despite these efforts, the number of people attempting the dangerous crossing has continued to rise. Since 2018, more than 135,000 people have made the journey across the Channel, with over 21,000 arriving in the UK this year alone.
The UK government has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who cancelled the previous government’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, has vowed to take tougher measures to “smash” the people-smuggling gangs responsible.
However, critics argue that the government should focus on providing safer routes for asylum seekers, with Amnesty International UK stating that without addressing the root causes, these tragedies will continue to unfold.
This latest incident has once again highlighted the desperate conditions and dangerous risks faced by migrants seeking refuge, and the urgent need for comprehensive and humane solutions to the ongoing crisis.
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