Migrant dies while trying to cross Channel after dinghy deflates near French coast.
French officials reported that another 71 individuals were rescued while attempting to make an illegal crossing.
Tragically, one person lost their life while trying to cross the English Channel from France on Wednesday. The incident occurred when an overcrowded rubber dinghy deflated near Gravelines on the northern coast of France, as stated by the Maritime Prefect of the English Channel and the North Sea.
The 71 other migrants, who were also part of this attempted illegal crossing, were safely rescued. The public patrol service boat “Cormoron” rescued 59 individuals, including one who unfortunately did not survive.
An additional 13 people were taken aboard a British coastguard vessel, and all those rescued were brought ashore at Calais and received by French emergency services.
Despite extensive search efforts involving aircraft and seaborne vessels, no other individuals were found in the sea as darkness fell, according to the statement.
This marks the fifth death of a migrant trying to cross the Channel since the Labour Party came into power after the July 4 general election, bringing the total of recorded small boat fatalities to an estimated 84 since 2014.
Last week, four migrants drowned off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer, with another 56 being rescued after their boat deflated.
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed deep sorrow at the loss of life.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is meeting with EU leaders in the UK to discuss tackling the root causes of the crisis, including addressing people smugglers and enhancing cooperation to combat illegal migration.
Tackle Root Causes of Crisis
Sir Keir emphasized the need to address the root causes driving migration, such as conflict and extreme poverty, in order to effectively combat the issues of small boats crossing the English Channel and migrants traveling through the Mediterranean and Europe’s land borders.
He described the current situation as a crisis, highlighting the criminal activities of human smugglers profiting from the suffering and desperation of individuals seeking refuge.
Sir Keir called for increased cooperation among countries to disrupt smuggling routes and dismantle criminal gangs involved in trafficking individuals.
He stressed the importance of setting a new course on illegal migration and working collectively to address the challenges posed by human trafficking and forced migration.
Since July 11, 701 migrants have crossed the Channel illegally in 12 separate vessels, with an average of around 58 individuals per boat.
The Labour government announced plans to introduce the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill to modernize the asylum and immigration system, with a focus on establishing a new Home Office unit to combat organized immigration crime using counter-terror powers.
The bill aims to ensure secure borders, a well-managed asylum system, and will be funded by reallocating resources from abolishing the Rwanda deportation policy.
Labour has pledged to address the asylum backlog, discontinue the use of hotel accommodations for migrants, and expedite returns for individuals from safe countries.
PA Media contributed to this report.
