Deadly Channel Disaster Leaves over 27 Dead
The death poll of migrants crossing from France to England is on the rise, creating the deadliest channel disaster in years with 31 dead.
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Bodies of migrants crossing from France to England were found floating in the water.
Over 31 migrants died on Wednesday crossing the Channel from France to England when their boat sank off the northern port of Calais, which is the deadliest single disaster on the intensively-used route.
France’s interior minister Gérald Darmanin said that the victims, including 5 women and a little girl, were part of a group of 34 migrants. No information was given on where the migrants were from.
After a fisherman reported the disaster, French patrol vessels discovered bodies and others unconscious in the sea, according to the French interior ministry.
Local authorities announced that three helicopters and three boats have been deployed to take part in the search.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin tweeted that "many people" had died in the incident, adding that "the criminal nature of the smugglers who organize these crossings cannot be condemned enough."
Forte émotion devant le drame des nombreux morts dû au chavirage d’un bateau de migrants dans la Manche.
— Gérald DARMANIN (@GDarmanin) November 24, 2021
On ne dira jamais assez le caractère criminel des passeurs qui organisent ces traversées. Je me rends sur place.
"The disaster in the Channel is a tragedy," added Prime Minister Jean Castex. "My thoughts are with the many missing and injured, victims of criminal smugglers who exploit their distress and misery," he wrote on Twitter.
The disaster, which is the deadliest single migrant crossing in recent times, comes as tensions between London and Paris escalate over the record number of people crossing.
Britain has urged France to implement tougher measures to stop migrants from making the voyage.
UK PM holds crisis meeting after Channel deaths
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday convened top officials for crisis talks after the number of death rose to 31 while crossing the Channel from France to England.
"The PM will chair a COBR on the situation in the Channel this afternoon," a Downing Street spokesperson said, referring to the UK government's emergencies committee.
Growing post-Brexit tensions
According to French police, 31,500 people have attempted to flee to the United Kingdom since the beginning of the year, with 7,800 people rescued at sea, a figure that has doubled since August.
After a series of accidents this year, seven have been confirmed dead or are still missing, presumed drowned.
In the UK, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's right-wing Conservative party is under great pressure, especially from its supporters, to restrict the number of people crossing the border.
This week, French police announced arresting 15 people suspected of being part of an international migrant smuggling ring that helped migrants illegally cross the English Channel to Britain.
More than 25,000 people have entered the UK unlawfully so far this year, according to British police, more than quadruple the number recorded in 2020.
The dispute has exacerbated post-Brexit tensions between Britain and France, which are already high due to a dispute over fishing rights that has yet to be settled.
