Channel migrants died after people smugglers removed hard base from their boat, investigation finds

Only eight of the 70 passengers were wearing life jackets and all were held on by men sitting on the inflatable sides.

The ship got into trouble when the waves caused water to flow into the middle of the boat, making the ship even heavier and pushing the boat under water.

According to the latest theory from French authorities investigating the tragedy, the people sitting in the middle of the boat were pushed down as the ship began to sink, with nothing to hold on to.

With no solid base, the middle of the boat tore apart. Those trapped in the middle drowned because they could not physically pull themselves over the inflatable sides as they were pulled down.

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A source familiar with the latest findings of the investigation told The Times: “They didn’t drown because they couldn’t swim, they drowned because they were in the boat, on the floor of the boat, which is made of a softer material, and they took out the hard part of the boat.”

Most of the 12 migrants who died were from Eritrea, one of the main countries of origin of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.

Laetitia Bader, a regional specialist at Human Rights Watch, said: “Given the serious situation in Eritrea and the Horn of Africa more broadly, there is no doubt that there is an urgent need for the new British government to open safe and regular routes for Eritreans and others to travel safely to the UK, saving lives and giving them access to protection.”

However, Angela Eagle, the UK’s immigration and borders minister, said the government was not considering expanding safe and legal routes, adding: “We must take control of our borders. We cannot look the other way while people-smuggling gangs trade in human suffering, endangering people’s lives, all to make colossal profits.”