Two children among dead as migrant boat sinks
AN INQUIRY was under way today after at least four people including two children died after a migrant boat sank off the coast of France.
More than a dozen people were taken to hospital and searches are ongoing for any others caught up in the tragedy.
Two children – aged five and eight – and two adults died following the sinking of a boat off Dunkirk, French authorities confirmed.
It is believed to be the single biggest loss of life during the current migrant crisis, and brings the total number of deaths since 2018 to 10.
Care4Calais founder Clare Moseley said the refugee community in Calais is “utterly devastated”.
She said: “We are grieving for the victims, we stand in sympathy and solidarity with their families and friends.
“It is cruel and horrifying that this time, young children are among the victims.
“This unnecessary loss of life has to stop. No one should ever feel they have to get into a fragile craft and risk their lives crossing the Channel, least of all vulnerable children.”
She called for the incident to be a “wake- up call” for those in power in the UK and France.
TWO CHILDREN aged five and eight have died along with two adults after a migrant boat sank off the coast of France.
The tragedy prompted calls by campaigners and politicians who said the authorities on both sides of the Channel had to act now to prevent further loss of life.
More than a dozen people have been taken to hospital and searches are continuing for any others caught up in the sinking.
It is believed to be the single biggest loss of life during the current migrant crisis, and brings the total number of deaths since 2018 to 10.
Two people have already died making the perilous journey across the Channel this year, including one earlier this month.
Care4Calais founder Clare Moseley called for the incident to be a “wake- up call” for those in power in the UK and France.
She said: “It is cruel and horrifying that this time, young children are among the victims.
“This unnecessary loss of life has to stop. No one should ever feel they have to get into a fragile craft and risk their lives crossing the Channel, least of all vulnerable children.”
Home Secretary Priti Patel said she was “truly saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life in French waters”.
She said: “This tragic news highlights the dangers that come with crossing the Channel and I will do everything I can to stop callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people.”
Military resources and civilian boats were involved in rescue efforts after the vessel was seen in difficulty near Dunkirk. The people on board are thought to have been trying to cross to the UK, despite wind gusts of up to 18mph.
The alarm was raised by a yacht which notified search and rescue. French patrol boats and a helicopter were dispatched, as well as a fishing boat. Searches are continuing and French authorities stress any assessment on numbers is provisional.
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke, who has been outspoken on the issue of Channel crossings, tweeted: “It is terrible that tragedy has struck in the Channel again. People traffickers have no regard for life, no matter how old or young.
“These perilous crossings must be stopped, once and for all, before there is more loss of life in these stormy winter seas.”
In the past two years more than 7,500 people are thought to have crossed the Channel in migrant boats.
According to reports the number making the crossing was five times higher in the first eight months of this year, compared to the same period last year.
In the busiest month in August at least 1,562 migrants came or were brought ashore in Kent.
The pandemic is thought to have played a part in the increased crossings with air routes closing down, as well as a drop- off in the number of lorries crossing on roll- on, roll- off ferries.
It is cruel that this time, young children are among the victims. Care4Calais founder Clare Moseley.