MIGRANT KIDS DIE IN CHANNEL
Tragedy a ‘ wake- up call’ for politicians
FOUR people including two children have died after a migrant boat sank in the Channel.
More than a dozen people were taken to hospital and searches were continuing last night for other victims.
The children, aged five and eight, and two adults died after the vessel got into trouble off France.
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.
PM Boris Johnson said: “We have offered the French authorities every support as they investigate this terrible incident.
“And we will do all we can to crack down on the ruthless criminal gangs who prey on vulnerable people by facilitating these dangerous journeys.”
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke tweeted: “It is terrible that tragedy has struck in the Channel again. People traffickers have no regard for life.”
Military resources and civilian boats were involved in the rescue operation 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.
Fifteen people were taken to hospitals in Calais and Dunkirk, according to the Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea.
The search operation was continuing last night and French authorities said any assessment on numbers was provisional.
An investigation into the cause of the sinking has been launched by the Dunkirk public prosecutor.
She called for the incident to be a “wake- up call” for those in power in the UK and France.