After 12 migrants died trying to cross the English Channel on a failed attempt, several dozen others attempted another crossing on a crowded vessel from northern France. The French and U.K. governments are facing a major problem as migrants continue to risk their lives to make the journey. The French mayor of Wimereux has called for more action from officials to prevent smugglers from sending people to their deaths in the channel. The French prosecutor investigating Tuesday’s sinking said that 10 of the 12 dead were women and six were minors, many of whom appeared to be Eritrean.
Fishermen who recovered some of the bodies were moved to tears, with one crew member describing how the body of a young woman had a ringing phone in a waterproof pouch around her neck. The grim reality of the situation was evident as another heavily laden migrant boat set off the next day with around 70-80 people on board. The inflatable boat spotted on Wednesday was carrying migrants, with French maritime authorities confirming that 40 to 50 individuals were aboard, many wearing life preservers.
The French maritime agency overseeing the stretch of sea where the boat was spotted said that makeshift inflatables are prohibited at sea but it can be dangerous to force them back to shore when heavily laden. The risk of a capsizing is too high with more than 50 people aboard who refuse to be rescued. The U.K. government has reported over 21,000 migrants crossing the English Channel so far this year. The new prime minister, Keir Starmer, has chosen to divert funds from a controversial plan to send migrants to Rwanda to instead strengthen the border force to combat criminal gangs behind the small-boat arrivals.
Cross-Channel migration was a key issue in the U.K. general election. The U.K. government has implemented measures to address the situation, including increased monitoring and law enforcement to prevent further tragedies. The French and U.K. governments face the challenge of finding a lasting solution to the migrant crisis in the English Channel. The fact that migrants are still attempting risky crossings so soon after a tragic incident highlights the urgency of the situation and the need for joint action between the two countries. The search for solutions continues as more lives are put at risk on the perilous journey across the channel.
