One man dies in Channel crossing attempt

A tragic incident occurred on Sunday morning when a man lost his life while attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat. The boat, which was carrying over 20 migrants, sank shortly after departing from the coast near Tardinghen, close to Calais. French officials reported that the man, an Indian national in his 40s, suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be revived by emergency responders. After the boat sank, the remaining passengers had to swim back to shore. This unfortunate event marks the third deadly sinking in just ten days, making 2024 the deadliest year on record for Channel crossings. Just last Wednesday, three individuals died when another small boat, which was carrying dozens of migrants, sank while trying to reach the UK. Fortunately, rescuers managed to save 45 people from that incident. Earlier, a four-month-old baby also tragically lost their life when an overloaded migrant boat sank, but rescuers were able to save 65 others. Since Thursday, more than 100 individuals have been rescued from migrant boats in distress, according to the French coastguard. On the same Sunday morning, police and gendarmes stopped several attempts to cross the Channel in locations such as Equihen-Plage, Calais, and Sangatte. French authorities noted that the number of attempted crossings has increased recently due to favorable weather conditions. New statistics from the UK government reveal that the number of migrants arriving in small boats this year has surged. As of Friday, there have been 29,578 arrivals in 2024, surpassing the total of 29,437 for all of 2023. Last year's figures were lower than the record of 45,774 arrivals in 2022. The Home Office has vowed to take strong action against people-smuggling gangs that facilitate these dangerous crossings. A spokesperson stated, 'Our new border security command will strengthen our global partnerships and enhance our efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute these criminals. ' An undercover investigation by the BBC uncovered a group of people-smugglers in Germany who were offering a Channel crossing 'package' for €15,000, which is approximately £12,500. This package included an inflatable dinghy with an outboard motor and 60 life jackets. The smugglers claimed they stored the boats in various secret warehouses to evade detection by German police. According to figures from the United Nations, this year has already been the deadliest for migrant crossings in the Channel, with at least 57 people having died while attempting the journey in 2024. Enver Solomon, the chief executive of the Refugee Council charity, emphasized the importance of the government doing everything possible to ensure that refugees no longer have to risk their lives. He stated, 'We must not forget that those making the perilous journeys across the Channel are desperate men, women, and children fleeing persecution and war in countries such as Afghanistan and Sudan, simply seeking safety and a future free from fear.