Heavy death toll in effort to reach UK
CALAIS: At least 27 migrants trying to reach England from France died on Wednesday when their boat sank off the northern French coast, the deadliest disaster since the Channel became a hub for clandestine crossings.
President Emmanuel Macron vowed France would not allow the Channel to become a “cemetery” and also spoke to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to agree on stepping up efforts to thwart the traffickers blamed for the surge in crossings.
“It is Europe’s deepest values – humanism, respect for the dignity of each person – that are in mourning,” Mr Macron said.
The disaster caused the highest death toll since at least 2018 when migrants began using boats en masse to cross the Channel. It comes as tensions grow between London and Paris over the record number of people crossing.
Prosecutors opened a manslaughter probe after the boat sank off the northern port city of Calais. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said four suspected traffickers accused of being linked to the crossing in a long inflatable boat had been arrested.
Mr Darmanin said in Calais that only two survivors had been found and both of their lives were in danger. He said five women and one little girl were among those who died, while Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart said a pregnant woman was also one of the victims.
The nationality of the migrants was not immediately clear. An initial toll said 31 migrants had died but the interior ministry later revised this down to 27. Prime Minister Jean Castex will hold a crisis meeting early on Thursday, his office said.
French officials said earlier that three helicopters and three boats had searched the area, uncovering corpses and people unconscious in the water, after a fisherman sounded the alarm.
Mr Johnson said he was “shocked, appalled and deeply saddened by the loss of life at sea”, following a crisis meeting with senior officials.
But he also said Britain had faced “difficulties persuading some of our partners, particularly the French, to do things in a way that the situation deserves”.
Britain has urged tougher action from France to stop migrants from making the voyage. The issue has added to growing post-Brexit strains between Britain and France, with a row on fishing rights also still unresolved.
“The response must obviously also come from Britain,” said Mr Darmanin.
In telephone talks, Mr Johnson and Mr Macron agreed on the “urgency of stepping up joint efforts to prevent these deadly crossings” and that “it is vital to keep all options on the table” to break the business model of the smuggling gangs, according to Downing Street.
One of the French lifeboat workers, Charles Devos, described seeing “a flat, deflated inflatable boat with the little air that remained helping it float” surrounded by bodies of the drowned.
According to the French authorities, 31,500 people attempted to leave for Britain since the start of the year and 7800 people have been rescued at sea.
Think the proposed changes to the Esplanade don’t go far enough. Should be closed to all traffic between 10am-6pm with barriers in place. Loading zones at either end to allow for deliveries to be made during this time. Council can’t enforce their own rules. QPS has more pressing duties. “Commercial vehicles” is too broad. Let’s hope they see sense and amend the decision soon.
Ian, Mt Sheridan
I am puzzled at the reported closure of vehicular traffic on the Esplanade in front of the dining area. Surely when it was two-way traffic it was more dangerous than now. Did the revamp include hidden dangers? I cannot see them. I am a pedestrian, I give way to all vehicles, the way I was taught. George, Edge Hill
The CRC continually is reducing major streets to single lanes or no traffic, killing the CBD. To compare with Singapore, in the CBD four lanes, no bike lanes, limited kerb-side parking, with off-street parking and their CBD is thriving. There are people in their CBD. Viv, Earlville
Great decision Mayor Bob Manning. Closing the Nard to traffic. Very sensible idea.
Scoobie, Trinity Beach
Anti-science and climate change deniers should note (CP 25/11), that Professor Harrison and a team of scientists are on Lizard Island now studying coral reef spawning and how the Reef adapts to and recovers from climate change.
Derek, Gordonvale
The debacle over who pays for the Covid tests to get into Queensland is just another attempt by our Premier to mislead the public. We are starting to see through the bulldust! It’s like the little boy who comes to school late every day with a different excuse each time. The dog ate my homework.
Robbo, Gordonvale
Could the Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive (CP, 25/11) please answer two questions? Why do we have the same number of ICU beds as we did at the start of the deadly pandemic? How did infected people (taxi driver here, QH Covid ward clerk in Townsville) move through the community without causing additional cases?
Higgs, Tolga
Re: The transport department’s drawing of the intersection at the south end of the Smithfield bypass (CP, 25/11) — the 1950s called and have asked for their road designers back.
Woz, Parramatta Park
Full-page advertisement showing Craig Kelly as our next Prime Minister. Heaven help us. If that happens North Korea or Russia might be good places to migrate to.
Geoff, Westcourt