Man dies in latest attempt to Cross English Channel
A tragic incident in the English Channel on Sunday claimed the life of a 40-year-old man from India, marking the latest in a series of deadly crossings. According to French authorities, the man suffered a cardiac arrest after the inflatable boat carrying him and several others began to deflate near Tardinghen, close to Calais and despite efforts by emergency services, he could not be revived.
As a result of the deflation, people who were on board were compelled to abandon the vessel and swim back to the shore in France, as stated by the sources. Within the past ten days, there have been three tragic sinkings, making this year the bloodiest on record for migrant crossings in the Channel. This particular occurrence is the third death sinking.
On Wednesday, just a few days earlier, three individuals lost their lives when another small boat carrying scores of migrants sank while it was travelling to the United Kingdom that was carrying them. Rescue personnel from France were successful in rescuing forty-five persons from the water.
A total of more than one hundred individuals have been rescued from vessels that were in danger since Thursday by the French coastguard. On Sunday morning, officials also intervened to thwart many attempted crossings from areas such as Equihen-Plage, Calais, and Sangatte. This serves to emphasise the continuous hazards that migrants confront when attempting to make the risky trek.
The number of attempted crossings has spiked recently due to favorable weather conditions, prompting concerns among both French and UK authorities. The latest statistics from the UK government reveal that 2024 has already seen more migrant arrivals via small boats than the entirety of 2023. By Friday, the number had reached 29,578, surpassing last year’s total of 29,437. The 2023 figure was notably lower than the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.
In response to the crisis, the UK Home Office has pledged to ramp up efforts to dismantle human smuggling networks responsible for these crossings. The department emphasized that a new border security command will focus on reinforcing global partnerships and enhancing measures to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those involved in these criminal activities.
UN figures confirm that 2024 has been the deadliest year for migrant crossings in the Channel, with at least 57 lives lost so far. The rising death toll has prompted urgent calls from human rights organizations and refugee charities for governments to act.
Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council, stressed the need for safe alternatives for those escaping violence and persecution. He highlighted that many making the dangerous journey across the Channel are men, women, and children fleeing conflict and oppression in countries like Afghanistan and Sudan, in search of safety and a secure future. Solomon called on the government to take all necessary measures to prevent further loss of life.
As authorities on both sides of the Channel grapple with the crisis, the loss of life underscores the ongoing humanitarian tragedy faced by migrants seeking safety in Europe.