Tragedy struck the English Channel on Tuesday morning as five individuals, including a 7-year-old girl, lost their lives while attempting to reach the UK from France. The incident occurred just hours after the British government approved a controversial bill allowing for the deportation of illegal immigrants to Rwanda as a deterrent against perilous sea crossings.
According to the prefecture responsible for northern France, authorities spotted multiple boats packed with migrants off the coast of Pas-de-Calais early Tuesday morning. Several French navy ships, including the Abeille Normandie tugboat, were dispatched to assist and rescue an overcrowded boat carrying over 100 people. Despite their efforts, five individuals were tragically pronounced dead.
Regional prefect Jacques Billant reported that the victims included a woman, three men, and a young girl. The boat, carrying 112 passengers, had attempted to depart from the beach in Wimereux. The Voix du Nord, a regional newspaper, reported that the bodies were discovered on the beach on Tuesday morning. Approximately 100 migrants were rescued and taken aboard a French navy ship, bound for the port of Boulogne.
The incident coincides with the UK Parliament’s recent approval of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s plan to send migrants to Rwanda. The UK government aims to deter individuals from risking their lives on perilous sea journeys by deporting those who enter the country illegally. The legislation has drawn criticism from human rights groups, who have denounced it as inhumane and cruel.
Both the United Nations refugee agency and the Council of Europe have urged the UK to reconsider its plans, expressing concerns that they could undermine international cooperation efforts to address the global migrant crisis. Migrants attempting to cross the busy English Channel face significant risks, including drowning, boat sinking, and other deadly incidents, often on overcrowded vessels. UK government figures indicate that approximately 30,000 people undertook the crossing in 2023.
