Sudanese man arrested after four migrants die in the Channel | UK | News

A Sudanese man has been arrested following the deaths of four migrants trying to cross the Channel on France’s north coast.

The National Crime Agency said the 27-year-old was detained at Manston processing center in Kent on Friday morning on suspicion of endangering life while sailing to England. The arrests follow the deaths of two men and two women who tried to board a small “taxi boat” near Saint-Étienne-au-Mont, near Calais, on Thursday. The victims, including a brother and sister, were swept away by strong currents. Authorities said that after the incident, 38 people returned to the shore, while 74 people continued their journey and reached England.

The suspect remains in custody and is being questioned by NCA officers who also spoke to the people making the crossing.

A parallel investigation was launched in France, led by a prosecutor examining the circumstances surrounding the ship’s launch. UK authorities are assisting with the investigation.

NCA deputy director Craig Turner said: “Working with our colleagues at home and abroad, we are determined to do all we can to identify those responsible for these four tragic deaths and bring them to justice.”

The incident is the latest in a series of deadly crossings across the Canal, with several deaths reported in recent days as migrants continue to make the perilous journey in small boats.

Immigration Minister Mike Tapp said: “Every death on the channel is a tragedy. Our experienced law enforcement teams will continue to work tirelessly with international partners to prevent these dangerous journeys and bring those responsible to justice.”

“Thanks to our Border Security Act, officers now have stronger powers to act earlier and disrupt, disrupt and disrupt the operations of criminal smuggling gangs that bring illegal immigrants to our shores.”

The canal remains one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, making small boat passage particularly dangerous in bad weather or strong currents.

Authorities on both sides of the channel continue to work to disrupt human trafficking networks and prevent further loss of life.