A tragic incident occurred in the English Channel this morning where a child migrant lost their life after falling off a small boat. The child was among 48 migrants on a crowded dinghy, with others falling into the sea but being rescued. Emergency services reported that the boat continued its journey to England with approximately 50 people onboard.
The body of the child was found on Écault beach, and an investigation is ongoing, confirmed by prosecutor Cécile Gressier in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. This unfortunate event follows the deaths of two Somali women under similar circumstances the day before.
Authorities have initiated an investigation to determine the cause of death and are yet to establish the victim’s age and nationality. This fatality marks the 21st death this year of migrants attempting to reach Britain from France via small boats. The two Somali women perished near Neufchâtel-Hardelot due to suffocation or drowning.
Earlier this month, three individuals, including children, died in a boat mishap, bringing the total migrant deaths in 2024 to 78. This grim reality has been escalating since 2018 when smugglers began orchestrating these perilous crossings. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has vowed to combat these criminal activities, aiming to dismantle the smuggling networks profiting from these deadly voyages.
In a separate incident in April 2024, a criminal investigation was launched following the deaths of five migrants, including a young girl near Wimereux. The deadliest incident occurred in November 2021 when 27 migrants lost their lives as their dinghy sank en route to the UK.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have promised to enhance collaboration in combating human traffickers. However, their strategies, including the ‘one-in-one-out’ approach, have faced criticism for not effectively deterring asylum seekers. Despite their efforts, over 32,000 individuals have crossed via small boats this year, highlighting the ongoing challenges in curbing illegal migration routes.
