Tragedy in English Channel: Four Migrants Die During Crossing

Photo: Alamy

Four people have died while attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK from France. The tragic incident occurred off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France when a boat carrying 67 migrants capsized overnight.
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The French coastguard reported that at about 4:30 am local time, a patrol vessel called Minck discovered the migrant boat had partially deflated, leaving several people in the water. Some migrants were found drifting in the water, while others clung to the stern of their dislocated boat. A rescue operation involving four ships and a helicopter managed to save 63 of the migrants. Of those rescued, 49 were picked up by a rescue vessel, and 14 were taken aboard a fishing boat.

Despite efforts by a medical team winched onto a French naval vessel from a helicopter, four victims were found unconscious and could not be resuscitated. Three were discovered adrift, while the fourth was found on the wreck of the migrant boat. All survivors were taken ashore in Boulogne and cared for by shore rescue services.

This incident highlights the ongoing crisis of migrant crossings in the Channel. Last month alone, 882 people made the journey in a single day, marking the highest one-day figure since 2022.

In response to this tragedy, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her condolences on social media, stating: "The further loss of life in the Channel this morning is truly awful. My thoughts are with all those affected. Criminal gangs are making vast profits from putting lives at risk. We are accelerating action with international partners to pursue & bring down dangerous smuggler gangs."

The new Labour government has launched a Border Security Command, a measure promised during the election campaign, aimed at strengthening border security and dismantling smuggling operations. However, there has been a setback as Neil Basu, a former national head of counterterrorism, has declined to lead the initiative.

Former Tory Home Secretary James Cleverly also commented on the tragedy, emphasizing the need to stop these dangerous crossings and end the human suffering involved. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, criticized the new government's pace, urging them to act swiftly.

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