13 Migrants Die In A Capsize Incident In English Channel
Thirteen migrants are killed after a boat overturned in the English Channel.
Olivier Barbarin confirmed the deaths of these people. He is the mayor of the coastal French town of Le Portel. The town is situated near Boulogne-sur-Mer where the casualties were actually witnessed.
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Barbarin confirmed that the “bottom of the boat ripped open”.
Also, the 50 rescued people were on the boat that left the coast of Cap Gris-Nez this morning. The news of the boat leaving the coast was verified by the French authorities.
A French spokesperson explained that those who are rescued from the English Channel needed serious medical attention and for that, an emergency medical care centre is set up at Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Another piece of information is authorised from the French coast guard as he mentioned that a rescue mission to save more than 50 migrants was launched after the boat capsize news came. He stated that his thoughts about the people on the boat were not good as he assumed that they would have ended up in water.
A spokesperson appointed by the coast guard guaranteed that several helicopters and boats would be launched into the waters of the English Channel as a rescue mission. They include staff from the French Navy who are assisting in rescue efforts.
The naval officer, Etienne Baggio said that staff on a French government-operated ship were among the first ones to be informed of the tragedy. Their timely response helped in launching the ship, Minck, for the survivors.
Interior Minister sad over the deaths of migrants
Gerald Darmanin, the Interior Minister, said that the “terrible disaster” came as devastating news to the friends and family members of the migrants. He ensured to go visit the site this afternoon.
The news of survivors came with a confirmation of the two British vessels that were seen docking. They carried several migrants to Dover. Men, women and children were coming back in the Dungeness lifeboat. They are a few of the survivors who were rescued from today’s tragedy.
A great number of migrants have arrived in England this year. Handling illegal information could be lethal and should remain a priority for the British and French governments, they both affirmed.
UK Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, was equally shattered after the news of the capsize incident. He said that the incident was “horrifying and deeply tragic”.
Miss Cooper was not in support of the trade of human lives being conducted as a business by the gangs in these waters. She said that they have no care for human lives and are only concerned about the profits they make.
Miss Cooper also reassured that she is in constant touch with her counterpart in France to get details of the progress of the rescue mission. Her counterpart, Gerald Darmanin kept her posted on the current situation.
It was agreed upon last week by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron to take decisive action to close down migrant smuggling routes across these waters.
Given that the English Channel is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, they were both aware of the importance of the situation. Small boats are vulnerable to strong currents and more prone to capsizing.
In a similar incident in August, two more people were found dead that fell victim to the channel’s strong currents. The dead persons were also migrants, later confirmed by the authorities.
