The French coastguard has reported the unfortunate demise of two migrants and the rescue of dozens more following a boat tragedy in the English Channel. The mishap, which happened off the Calais coast, triggered a search operation on Wednesday when a life jacket was sighted adrift.
The search resulted in 48 survivors being pulled from the water, among whom, were two unconscious individuals on board the Minck vessel. Tragically, these two were later pronounced dead in Calais as confirmed by the French maritime prefecture.
The rescue initiative utilised two boats, a helicopter, and a medical team which was stationed in Calais. Land-based rescue services cared for the survivors as the authority continues the search for any others that might still be in the sea.
Investigative pursuits concerning the incident have been launched by the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office. This year has seen a disquieting total of 47 deaths reported by the French coastguard, a chilling tally that regrettably includes a baby who lost its life when its boat met difficulties last Thursday evening.
The chilling frequency of deaths this year in Channel crossing incidents has been strongly condemned by both Safe Passage International and Amnesty International UK. Protesting against normalising or accepting such events, Wanda Wyporska, Safe Passage International’s CEO, insisted that the UK government must swiftly establish safe migration routes. She warned that without these, smugglers would continue to exploit individuals running from warfare and persecution, leading to more deaths.
Amnesty International UK’s refugees and migrants director, Steve Valdez-Symonds, echoed these sentiments calling Channel tragedies “appallingly regular”. He also urged the UK government to create safer alternatives in face of the perilous crossing, to prevent more loss of life.
The UK home office retorted, asserting that these tragic incidents only further emphasise that smuggler gangs are solely interested in monetary gain, and not in the lives they are risking. They further pledged their unyielding resolve to put an end to the profiteering schemes of these gangs and ensure they face justice.
In addition, the spokesperson stated that the forthcoming Border Security Command of the UK government will amplify their capacity to investigate, apprehend, and charge people involved in smuggling.
The most recent statistics from the Home Office reveal that 28,353 individuals have made their way across the Channel to the UK this year. The arrivals, compared to the same period in 2023, have seen a 9% increase where 26,116 people arrived. However, this number is 25% less than the 37,603 arrivals noted in 2022. – PA