Four dead in latest Channel migrant tragedies as crossings continue | Politics | News
Immigrants boarded the giant boat (Image: Getty)
Three migrants died in chaotic scenes in the English Channel this morning as smugglers continued to launch dangerously crowded boats.
Women died trying to board a “taxi boat” in Dunkirk.
It was understood that they were found dead on the ship.
And the boat was allowed to proceed towards the UK; Two Border Force ships are waiting to collect asylum seekers once they reach British waters.
The boat was spotted around 6 a.m. with three people on board who were found unresponsive. They were taken to shore by rescue teams before paramedics confirmed their deaths.
One more person was killed and six others were injured, including a small baby, as they tried to cross during the night.
A Government spokesman said: “We were deeply saddened to hear of these deaths.
“Every death on the Channel is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people for profit. We will continue to work tirelessly with the French and our overseas partners to prevent these dangerous journeys.”
“French authorities are conducting intervention and investigation into this incident.”
Smuggler gangs expanded their influence in northern France by sending boats from as far south as Fecamp and Dieppe.
Wednesday was one of the busiest days for crossings so far this year; Due to the warm, sunny weather and calm conditions at sea, trials continued continuously throughout the day.
And the tragedies came hours after a French gendarmerie sensationally claimed “we have orders to release them”.
“We just need to tell them, ‘don’t do this, it’s dangerous,’” the armed police officer said as dozens of migrants climbed into a boat near Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp also accused gendarmes of a “disgraceful dereliction of duty” after they allowed a suspected smuggler who was operating the boat’s engine to go free as the ship departed.
He said officers could have easily prevented departure because the water was only “knee deep.”
And he revealed how desperate male asylum seekers were to reach the UK, pushing women and children back in another day of carnage across the Channel.
In more embarrassing scenes off the French coast, the police officer, who initially shrugged when asked why they were letting the migrants into the water, told Mr Philp: “Our order is that they be allowed to go.
We just need to tell them, ‘Don’t do it, it’s dangerous.’
“We must protect them”
This came as smugglers launched a series of coordinated attacks in northern France.
Up to 700 migrants are feared to cross the Channel on Wednesday following an attempted boat launch at Fecamp.
It was discovered off the coast of Eastbourne.
Mr Philp said of the boat in which he entered the water to film: “Illegal immigrants had pushed many women and children who were then left behind.
“The French police are standing on the sidelines and doing absolutely nothing to stop this reboarding.
“We’re only knee-deep in water and it would be very easy for the French police to stop this boat.”
