One person has died and two others are missing in the English Channel after an incident involving a small boat, French rescue services reported.
Four rescue operations led by French rescuers and co-ordinated by the Gris-Nez regional operational service for surveillance and rescue took place in the Channel on Wednesday, according to the maritime prefecture of the Channel and the Northern Peninsula.
The report quoted French authorities as saying that 180 people were pulled to safety by rescuers.
One person was found unconscious and could not be resuscitated by crew members, while two others were missing, the report said. UK government spokesman said:
“We can confirm there has been an incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters. French authorities are leading the response and investigation. We will not be commenting further at this stage.”
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said:
“Our thoughts go out to the families of those affected by the tragic loss of life in the English Channel this afternoon and to all those who valiantly answered the distress call.This is yet another avoidable human tragedy. Men, women and children from countries such as Afghanistan are risking their lives in the Channel as a direct consequence of safe routes being so limited and ineffective. There will be more deaths unless the government rethinks its approach. Instead of the unlawful and costly Rwanda plan, we need a plan to provide sanctuary for those fleeing persecution, violence and torture without having to take dangerous journeys.”
Solomon believes the UK should expand family reunification opportunities, introduce visas for refugees and strike an agreement with the French government to “give people a fair hearing and treat them with dignity and humanity”.
Home Office figures this week revealed that more than 2,000 migrants have arrived in the UK this year after crossing the strait between England and France. A total of 290 people have made the dangerous crossing in the past week.
The number of arrivals is 32% lower than the total recorded this time last year (2,953) but 49% higher than the total at this stage in 2022 (1,482). 29,437 people arrived in the UK after making the crossing in 2023, down 36% on a record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.
