Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TWO CHILDREN DROWN IN BID TO REACH UK
At least four die in the worst crossing tragedy
TINY BOAT Migrants cross Channel two months ago
TWO children aged five and eight were among at least four migrants who died yesterday when their boat sank in rough seas crossing the English Channel.
A man and a woman also perished in the worst tragedy since the crossings started.
And there were fears last night that the death toll could rise.
Survivors said a baby fell in the water and was not saved.
Th e str i c ke n v e ss e l was spotted by a sailing boat at about 9.30am local time off Dunkirk.
Retired coastguard officer Andy Roberts said: “It’s tragic. Something like this was always going to happen and sadly it now has. There is no way that boat was ever going to successfully cross the Dover strait.
“The weather was appalling. There were 42 knots of wind in Dover which is around 48mph.”
Th e cre w cal l ed French authorities before a lifeboat, customs and navy craft rushed to the scene. A Belgian helicopter and French fishing boat joined the rescue. Fifteen were taken to hospital.
Minister Boris Johnson said last night: “We have offered the French authorities every support as they investigate this terrible incident and will do all we can to crack down on the ruthless criminal gangs who prey on vulnerable people by facilitating these dangerous journeys.”
The deaths sparked outrage among charities.
C l a r e Mo s e l e y, founder of aid charity Care4calai s, said: “Everyone in Calais is devastated. It is cruel and horrifying that this time, young children are among the victims. No one should ever feel they have to get into a fragile craft and risk their life crossing the Channel, least of all children.”
Channel Rescue spokesman Max Williams said: “This is a burgeoning crisis, with men, women and children risking their lives in search of protection offered under international laws the UK has signed.
“T h e g o v e r n m e n t mu s t urgently ensure safe and legal passage for those seeking safety.”
Bridget Chapman, of Kent R e f u g e e A c t i o n Ne tw o r k , tweeted: “We need safe & legal routes now!”
A criminal probe has been opened to find the people smugglers responsible. More than 7,500 have tried to reach the UK in small boats this year, up from 1,850 in 2019. A migrant drowned on October 18 near Calais. His identity has not yet been revealed. Sudanese national Abdulfatah Hamdallah, 28, drowned trying to cross in August in a 3ft dinghy. Two died last year.
RESCUE Border Force officer cradles a migrant in August