UK coastguard faces French inquiry over migrant deaths

FRENCH prosecutors are investigating the Coastguard following the deaths of four migrants in the English Channel.

It follows the filing of complaints for “involuntary manslaughter” and “failure to render aid” by the refugee aid charity Utopia 56. In legal documents, the association complains to the Boulogne-sur-mer public prosecutor about a maritime disaster on Dec 14 2022, when dozens of people on a small boat ended up in the sea.

Many were pulled out of the water by rescuers but, it is claimed, both the British and the French were too slow in their response which led to the death of four people.

The boat was being piloted by Ibrahima Bah, a Senegal national who is currently on trial at Canterbury Crown Court on four counts of manslaughter and one of breaking immigration law.

The 19 year-old denies any wrongdoing in connection with the disaster. He claimed he was assaulted by people smugglers who threatened to kill him if he did not go ahead with the voyage.

As Mr Bah’s trial continues, the French authorities will be focusing on possible culpability by official agencies.

A legal source in Boulogne said: “The complaint was filed to the prosecutor early this month, and it focuses on the way the British and French authorities dealt with mayday calls. The complaint is currently being investigated.”

Those facing allegations that could lead to prison sentences and fines are His Majesty’s Coastguard UK, the Maritime Prefect in France and the director of the Cross de Gris-nez emergency centre, near Calais.

Tapes released by Utopia 56 said they received a distress message at 2.54am. Utopia 56 sent an email to Cross de Grisnez and the British emergency services.

It read: “Problem: water in the boat. There are families with children on board. They are urgently asking for help.” Despite this, Utopia 56 claims, it was not until 3.40am the first rescue boat left the coast of England.

The English fishing boat Arcturus was able to rescue 11 people in the sea, but many remained trapped inside the dinghy, which had 48 passengers on board when it left France.

Emergency response times by coastguards vary enormously, depending on sea and weather conditions, but sources on both sides of the English Channel told The Telegraph up to 45 minutes for a night-time launch was “about right”.

Seven French military personnel manning phones at the Cross de Grisnez centre on the night face charges.

A total of 29,437 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats last year.