British police have arrested three men in connection with the tragic deaths of five migrants, including a child, who perished while attempting to cross the Channel from France. The incident occurred when a small, overcrowded boat carrying 112 people set out to cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, leading to panic among the passengers not far from the shore.
Rescuers managed to save about 50 individuals, with four requiring hospitalization, while others remained on the boat, determined to reach Britain. The three men, two Sudanese nationals aged 22 and 19, and a South Sudan national aged 22, were apprehended on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and entering the UK unlawfully, according to the National Crime Agency.
NCA Deputy Director of Investigations Craig Turner emphasized the importance of targeting criminal gangs involved in organizing such dangerous crossings, stating, “This tragic incident once again demonstrates the threat to life posed by these crossings.” French authorities are also investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, with 55 individuals believed to have been on board the ill-fated boat identified.
The deadly crossing occurred shortly after the British parliament passed a bill allowing for the deportation of asylum seekers who arrive in the UK without permission to Rwanda, a measure intended to deter individuals from making the perilous journey across the Channel. This latest tragedy underscores the ongoing challenges and risks faced by migrants seeking refuge in the UK.