31 migrants died while attempting to cross the sea from France to England.
A boat carrying illegal migrants sank off the coast of Calais, northern France, on the afternoon of November 24th, killing at least 31 people.
The French Interior Ministry said that among the 31 fatalities were five women and one girl. Police rescued two people, both in critical condition. One person remains missing. This is considered the deadliest migrant shipwreck ever recorded in the English Channel.
 |
| French citizens gather near the port of Calais after the shipwreck. Photo: Le Monde |
Speaking in Calais, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin called it a sad day for France and Europe and urged close international cooperation to address the problem of illegal migrant trafficking.
"The main culprits for this tragic disaster are human traffickers, criminals. Those who, for just a few thousand euros, organize networks to smuggle people from Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Asia. They then take them to Belgium, the Netherlands, and especially France, and across the English Channel, before finally reaching England," Gérald Darmanin stated.
French police have now arrested four people suspected of being involved in an illegal migration ring. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed his sorrow for the victims, declared that the English Channel would not become a place of death, and pledged to find and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The French president also called for an increase in the Frontex border protection force and proposed an emergency meeting of European powers. French Prime Minister Jean Castex convened a meeting of ministers on the morning of November 25.Speaking at 10 Downing Street, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he felt shocked and angry at the tragedy: “I just want to say that I am shocked, angry and deeply saddened to see so many people have died in the English Channel. I think we will have to get to the bottom of this, but 20 people have died. And above all, I want to send my condolences and sympathy to the victims and their families.”
Just yesterday, the British Prime Minister held a meeting of the government's crisis committee to deal with the tragedy and declared his intention to "do more" with France to stop illegal migration.
Since the beginning of the year, approximately 31,500 people have illegally migrated from France to the UK across the English Channel, of which 22,000 have successfully reached the UK, 7,800 have been rescued by coast guard forces, 3 have died, and 4 are missing.
