A new record was set on Saturday as 973 migrants crossed the English Channel in 17 boats, marking the highest daily number of crossings this year. This surpasses the previous record of 882 people who made the journey on June 18, 2024.
Unfortunately, tragedy struck during these crossings as French authorities reported four deaths on Saturday. Among the casualties was a two-year-old boy who lost his life after a boat carrying nearly 90 people experienced engine failure. Despite efforts to rescue the passengers, including transferring 15 individuals to a tow vessel, the young boy was pronounced dead after being found unconscious. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau condemned the people smugglers responsible for these dangerous journeys, emphasizing the need to combat these criminal organizations.
In a separate incident, another boat carrying 83 individuals also faced engine failure. Three passengers, two men, and a woman, were discovered unconscious at the bottom of the vessel, indicating a distressing situation where they may have been crushed and suffocated. The total number of deaths in Channel crossings this year has now reached 51, a significant increase from the 12 reported in 2023.
The migrants who were rescued on Saturday hailed from various countries including Eritrea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iran, Ethiopia, Libya, Syria, Egypt, Kuwait, and Iraq, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of those undertaking these perilous journeys.
In response to these tragic events, UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her outrage on social media, condemning the loss of lives, particularly that of a young child, at the hands of criminal smuggling gangs. The UK and other G7 nations have recently agreed on an anti-smuggling action plan aimed at enhancing cooperation to address this ongoing crisis.
As updates on this breaking news story continue to unfold, it is essential to recognize the human cost of these Channel crossings and the urgent need for coordinated efforts to prevent further loss of life in the future. Stay tuned for more details on this developing situation.
