A tragic incident occurred on Sunday as a migrant lost their life while attempting to cross the Channel from France to Britain on an overcrowded boat. Shockingly, dozens of individuals on the vessel refused rescue and continued their risky journey towards England.
This marks the seventh migrant death in the Channel since July 12, with French authorities highlighting a concerning “new phenomenon” of migrants dying due to cramped conditions on boats rather than from drowning.
The French maritime prefecture reported that 75 people were on the small boat, which was first spotted off the port of Calais early on Sunday.
Rescuers managed to save 35 individuals, including one who was in critical condition and airlifted to a hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Tragically, the migrant was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The remaining passengers on the boat refused to return to France and instead continued their journey to England, raising questions about the circumstances of their arrival.
The maritime authority explained that, due to the risk of accidents and injuries during a rescue operation, the decision was made to allow the migrants to proceed on their journey.
– Crush ‘phenomenon’ –
The statement from the authority emphasized the “new phenomenon” of migrants perishing at sea not by drowning, but due to illness or overcrowding.
Prior incidents include four men dying on a boat on July 12, an Eritrean woman on July 17, and another man two days later.
With 2024 already seeing 23 migrant deaths in the Channel, organizations like Auberge des Migrants and Salam NGO criticize the lack of safe passage for asylum seekers and call for a humane approach to handling the situation.
Following recent agreements between British and French leaders, efforts are being made to combat human trafficking networks and provide better solutions for migrants seeking a new life.
Despite challenges, both governments remain committed to addressing the root causes of irregular migration across the Channel.
The influx of migrants arriving on small boats continues to be a pressing issue, with hundreds of individuals making perilous journeys to reach English shores.
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