12 people, including a pregnant woman and six children, die as a migrant boat sinks in the English Channel

A boat carrying dozens of migrants sank off the French coast in the Channel on Tuesday, killing twelve people, including six children and a pregnant woman.

The boat, which was reportedly overloaded, capsized at Cape Gris-Nez, near Boulogne-sur-Mer. The French coastguard confirmed that 50 people had been rescued, with two survivors currently in a critical condition.

According to the local prosecutor, 10 women and two men were among the victims. The bottom of the boat was said to have “ripped open” during the journey and fewer than eight people on board were wearing life jackets, leading to the disaster. The incident is the deadliest in the Channel this year, highlighting the increasing dangers faced by those attempting the perilous crossing.

Local authorities believe the majority of the victims were of Eritrean origin, although their exact nationalities have not been confirmed. One source suggested a Syrian smuggler may have been involved in organising the journey.

The tragedy has led to renewed calls for tougher measures to tackle the ongoing migrant crisis. French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said French authorities were preventing 60% of small boat departures. However, the practice of cramming more people onto increasingly unsafe vessels has led to more frequent and deadlier shipwrecks.

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the incident as “appalling and deeply tragic” and criticised the smuggling gangs responsible for the dangerous border crossings. “The effort to dismantle these dangerous and criminal smuggling gangs and strengthen border security is vital and must continue apace,” she stressed.

Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, expressed deep concern at the increasing number of such tragedies, saying: “Every political leader, on both sides of our Channel, must be asked the question: ‘How many lives will be lost before we see an end to these avoidable tragedies?’”

The French coastguard has launched a large-scale rescue operation involving helicopters, naval vessels and fishing boats. Despite these efforts, the number of people attempting the dangerous crossing continues to rise. Since 2018, more than 135,000 people have made the Channel crossing, with more than 21,000 reaching the UK this year alone.

The British government has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who cancelled the previous government’s controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, has promised tougher measures to “crush” the people-smuggling gangs responsible.

However, critics argue that the government should focus on providing safer routes for asylum seekers. Amnesty International UK, for example, argues that these tragedies will continue to occur if the underlying causes are not addressed.

This latest incident underscores the desperate conditions and dangerous risks faced by migrants seeking refuge, and the urgent need for comprehensive and humane solutions to the ongoing crisis.