Two children are among three individuals who tragically lost their lives in the English Channel overnight, according to French authorities. The incident occurred as 38 asylum seekers attempted to make the perilous crossing in a small dinghy.
Details of the Incident
The regional prosecutor, Laurent Touvet, reported that the tragedy unfolded off the Coastcoast of Pas-de-Calais, near england/the-Towntown/”>the town of Sangatte. It is believed that the deceased were ‘crushed at the bottom of the boat’.
While 35 people were successfully rescued and brought ashore around 5 am, another boat encountered difficulties, leaving three individuals reported missing.
Response from French Authorities
French authorities have attributed the incident to smuggling gangs, stating their commitment to combating such criminal activities. They expressed gratitude towards police, firefighters, civil protection volunteers, and Seasea rescue services for their prompt response in aiding those in distress.
Previous Incident on the Same Day
Earlier on Tuesday, a separate incident led to the death of a woman, who was airlifted to shore/”>shore after being found unresponsive. Kent Police reported being alerted to this incident shortly after 1 pm.
Ongoing Concerns Over Channel Crossings
Since the beginning of the year, at least 23 individuals have died attempting to Crosscross the Channel in small boats, according to French officials. In light of these tragedies, UK ministers are considering repurposing parts of RAF bases to house migrants, aiming to reduce reliance on hotels for asylum seekers.
Government’s Stance on Immigration
The new Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has proposed suspending visa access for countries that do not cooperate with the UK on deportations. This comes as more than 30,000 people have arrived in the UK on small boats so far this year, highlighting the ongoing immigration crisis.
A government spokesperson expressed sorrow over the recent tragedies, stating, ‘Our immediate thoughts are with all of those who have been affected.’ They reiterated the dangers associated with small boat crossings and the need to prevent criminal exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
