Adding to the sad happenings around the world, in the early morning of September 15, 2024, eight migrants died during channel crossing from France to the United Kingdom.
The regional prefect, Jacques Billant, said the incident happened around 1 a.m. (23:00 GMT on Saturday) off the coast of the northern town of Ambleteuse.
“The toll was terrible, with eight people reported dead,” he told the press near the site of the accident.
How Did The Accident Happen?
The boat of the passengers who were from Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries in the hope of getting a better life in the UK, was overcrowded with 59 passengers on board.
The boat had set off from the Slack River that flows into the sea between the towns of Wimereux and Ambleteuse. During sail, it struck rocks near the shore of the French town of Ambleteuse.
Following this tragedy, eight people were found dead, while six others were taken to the hospital, including a 10-month-old baby who was found to be suffering from hypothermia. This disaster occurred just two weeks after another fatal crossing in which twelve migrants, including children, drowned. To date, 46 migrants have been killed while attempting the crossing this year, which shows that the human cost of this crisis is increasing.
Jacques Billant added that, “It quickly got into difficulty and ran aground… The boat was torn apart on the rocks.”
No other people were found during sea searches.
How is the UK and France Reacting to This?
The governments of both the UK and France have been trying to prevent human smuggling and decrease English channel crossing, but the problem is severe. Migrants, who have no other options and cannot use safe legal channels, still try to cross the sea on inflatable boats. These trips are especially perilous due to the currents and the congestion of boats, especially when there is no sufficient life-saving equipment.
The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the French President Emmanuel Macron promised this summer to enhance the “interference” in dealing with the increase in the number of irregular migrants.
Also, an investigation has been opened by the Boulogne-sur-mer public prosecutor's office.
A UK government spokesperson confirmed the latest incident and said French authorities were leading the response and investigation.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it was "awful" to hear of a "further loss of life" in the Channel.
How Often Do These Tragedies Occur?
Four people drowned in an inflatable boat in July when it flipped off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France.
In April, five people, including a child, died on an overcrowded boat carrying 112 people from Wimereux, about 32km (20 miles) southwest of the French port of Calais.
Also, a total of 801 people arrived in Britain via the Channel on Saturday – the second highest daily figure this year, based on Home Office estimates.
French maritime authorities stated that 200 people were saved in the course of the 24 hours of Friday and Saturday.
The French coast guard and other first responders pulled 61 people from one boat, 55 from another, and 48 from two more boats.
Final Notes
This tragedy, among many others in recent times, shows that there is a need for humane and effective ways of addressing the causes of such dangerous migration, and managing migration in Europe.
This incident is also a reminer that English Channel crossing is still a dangerous affair due to the high traffic rate and the rough nature of the waters.