Australian National Review – At least 12 asylum seekers die trying to cross English Channel

Yvette Cooper described the deaths as “horrific and deeply tragic” and said the government was determined to dismantle people-smuggling rings.

At least 12 asylum seekers have died after their boat sank while trying to cross the Channel, the French coast guard said.

On Tuesday morning, 65 people were rescued during a search operation by French authorities after the boat they were in got into trouble off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez, about 10 miles north of Wimereux.

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin described the incident as a “terrifying shipwreck” and confirmed in a post on social media platform X that there were 12 dead, two missing and several injured.

The French coast guard reported that all people on board the vessel, a rubber dinghy, ended up in the water and that several people required medical attention.

Victims are being treated in Le Portel, near Boulogne-sur-Mer. Le Portel Mayor Olivier Barbarin said the bottom of the boat was “torn open.”

A French coast guard spokesman said the operation to find the missing was still ongoing and involved a number of helicopters, boats and the French navy.

The incident occurred after more illegal immigrants arrived in the English port of Dover after crossing the Channel. Asylum seekers were brought ashore by border guards and lifeboats.

‘Shocking and deeply tragic’

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the deaths in the Channel as a “terrible and deeply tragic incident.”

Cooper said she was in contact with her French counterpart Darmanin and that the government would await the results of the French investigation to understand how the incident unfolded.

The minister said “the gangs behind this appalling and heartless trade in human lives are cramming more and more people into increasingly unseaworthy rowing boats and sending them out into the Channel even in very bad weather.”

“They care about nothing but the profit they make, and that is why – along with mourning the terrible loss of life – the work to dismantle these dangerous and criminal smuggling rings and strengthen border security is so critical and must continue apace,” she added.

When Labour won the July 4 election, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer made good on his promises. He scrapped Conservative plans to send illegal immigrants to Rwanda and set up a Border Security Command, which he said would focus on tackling illegal immigration and the people-smuggling gangs that facilitate it.

Cooper said staff have been recruited to fill positions at the multidisciplinary command since July. The government has also pledged additional positions at immigration detention centers in preparation for accelerating the return of people who have no legal right to remain in the country.

The Home Secretary had said: “By increasing enforcement capacity and reporting, we will create a system that is better monitored and managed, instead of the chaos that has plagued the system for far too long.”

21,403 illegal immigrants

James Cleverly, shadow home secretary, wrote in an article on X: “This is tragic and cannot be allowed to continue.”

Cleverly added: “It’s not enough to talk about ‘crushing the gangs’ when the real consequences are so serious. Labour must restore the deterrence the NCA said we need to stop vulnerable people being exploited and secure our borders.”

Cumulative arrival of illegal immigrants crossing the Channel in small boats. (PA Wire) — Cumulative arrival of illegal immigrants crossing the Channel in small boats. PA wire

The former Home Secretary, who is running for Conservative Party leader, has previously criticised the new Labour government for saying it would get illegal immigration under control while boats full of asylum seekers continue to land on British shores.

Cleverly said last month: “When Labour abandoned our deterrent (the Rwanda plan) they sent a dangerous message to the people smugglers that they were not prepared to take the tough measures needed to control our borders, and the smugglers are reaping the rewards.”

Figures from the UK Home Office show that 351 illegal immigrants crossed the Channel in six boats on Monday, taking the provisional total for the year so far to 21,403.

PA Media contributed to this report.