At least five migrants have died while crossing the English Channel, according to the French newspaper Voix du Nord. The newspaper reported that the bodies were discovered on Tuesday at the Wimereaux beach in northern France. Rescue operations involving helicopters and boats are ongoing, with more than 100 migrants having been rescued and taken to the port of Boulogne by a French navy ship. This incident occurred just hours after the UK Parliament approved the government’s latest effort to send some migrants on a one-way ticket to Rwanda. The controversial policy, which aims to deter migrants from risking their lives in dangerous boat crossings, has been criticized by human rights organizations as inhumane and cruel. Both the United Nations refugee agency and the Council of Europe have urged the UK to reconsider its plans, citing concerns that they could undermine international cooperation on addressing the global migrant crisis. Crossing the English Channel is a perilous endeavor, with migrants often traveling in overcrowded and unseaworthy boats. Drownings and sinking are common occurrences, and an estimated 30,000 people attempted the crossing in 2023, according to UK government figures.
Five Migrants Die in English Channel Crossing, Overshadowing UK’s Deportation Bill Approval
