In a tragic turn of events, four more people were killed on Friday morning after being put aboard an unseaworthy boat by heartless human traffickers. The incident occurred in the English Channel, adding to the growing list of victims lost at sea as they attempt to cross from France to the UK.
The French navy patrol boat and coastguard helicopter managed to rescue approximately 60 migrants from a capsized inflatable boat near Boulogne-sur-Mer, south of Calais overnight into Friday morning. The boat had encountered trouble shortly after leaving the French coastline. Unfortunately, four of the individuals pulled from the water were found unresponsive and could not be revived.
Le Voix du Nord, a local newspaper, states that the rescue operation has not yet been officially concluded, hinting at the possibility that further victims may still remain in the waters. The ongoing migrant crisis on Britain’s southern shore has led to the previous British government being voted out of power last week. The new Labour government, known for its pro-open borders stance, has pledged to address the issue but has yet to take any concrete actions.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, who has played a crucial role in bringing the border crisis to public attention and holding the previous government accountable, has issued a warning to the new Labour government. He tweeted: “Four deaths in the Channel this morning, the new Government had better start moving fast.
This tragedy raises concerns about the continued operation of callous people smugglers who charge thousands of Euros per passenger for a spot on completely unsuitable and dangerously overcrowded boats. The death toll resulting from attempted crossings of the English Channel now stands at 19 this year alone. Meanwhile, around 14,000 people have successfully made the journey across the Channel, an increase of almost 20% compared to the previous year, according to Le Figaro.
The desperate conditions faced by migrants attempting to reach England’s shores were highlighted in a recent report detailing a deadly crossing that resulted from overcrowding on board. A father described how his seven-year-old daughter was crushed to death as a group of migrant men forced their way onto the boat, disregarding the well-being of those already aboard. Despite such harrowing incidents, the UK continues to maintain a legal and border security environment that enables human traffickers to thrive.