A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded overnight as a two-year-old boy lost his life, and several adult migrants perished during two separate incidents involving overcrowded boats attempting to navigate the perilous waters of the Channel en route to Britain, according to French officials.
This little boy was found unresponsive in a dinghy that was far beyond its safe capacity when a distress signal was raised early this morning. Tragically, the boat—a veritable floating sardine can—was attempting to ferry nearly 90 individuals when it suffered engine failure just off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France. The boy, originally from Germany and of Somali descent, could not be revived, as confirmed by a regional prefect addressing the media.
Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor Guirec Le Bras shared preliminary details, describing how the child was “crushed” to death during the chaos on the ill-fated vessel.
French authorities have expressed their resolve to curb the number of individuals risking their lives at sea. However, they assert that once migrants are afloat, their involvement is limited to rescue operations due to safety protocols. This has stirred significant concern regarding the effectiveness of such measures.
In a separate incident, another overcrowded boat also experienced engine failure off Calais, culminating in panic among those onboard. Some migrants were flung into the water amid the chaos, but thankfully, rescue efforts were promptly launched. However, tragedy struck again as three individuals—two men and a woman in their thirties—were discovered unconscious at the bottom of the vessel. According to Pas-de-Calais prefect Jacques Billant, the three likely suffered from crushing injuries and, possibly, drowning.
The identities of the victims included one Vietnamese adult and two others believed to have African backgrounds, as reported by local prosecutors.
In response to these horrific incidents, the interior ministers of both France and Britain expressed their outrage. “A child was trampled to death in a boat,” exclaimed France’s stern interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, on X. He referred to the situation as an “appalling tragedy” that resulted in multiple deaths.
Retailleau pointed fingers at smugglers, stating, “They have the blood of these victims on their hands.” He pledged that the French government would intensify its crackdown on the gangs profiting from these deadly voyages.
British Interior Minister Yvette Cooper echoed his sentiments, criticizing the loss of life in the Channel. “It is appalling that more lives have been lost today, including a young child,” she remarked, attributing the tragedy to the ongoing operations of criminal smuggler gangs that facilitate these perilous crossings. “They have no regard for whether people live or die; it’s a ruthless trade in lives.”
Cooper further noted her ongoing communication with Retailleau, highlighting recent discussions focused on increasing cooperative law enforcement to dismantle these nefarious networks.
The latest tragedies have tragically raised the death toll to 51 migrants who have perished in their quest to reach England from France this year, according to Billant. The prefect pointed out that the vessels used for these treacherous journeys are often of poor quality and lack sufficient life jackets for all passengers.
Moreover, traffickers have shown a shocking disregard for safety, often separating young children from their parents during these crossings.
Since 2018, the numbers of undocumented asylum seekers risking the treacherous journey across the Channel have surged, despite frequent warnings about the life-threatening dangers involved. Factors such as heavy maritime traffic, frigid waters, and strong currents further compound the peril.
In July, another incident in which a 21-year-old woman from Kuwait lost her life under similar circumstances drew attention to the harrowing reality facing many.
“Misery and despair,” remarked new right-wing French Prime Minister Michel Barnier, reflects the conditions driving people to undertake such desperate measures. Barnier vowed to be “ruthless” in tackling the trafficking networks exploiting these vulnerable individuals who dare to risk everything for a chance at a better life.
As Channel crossings accelerated due to favorable weather conditions, French authorities reported preventing 31 attempted crossings and rescuing over 250 migrants at sea since Thursday evening.
President Emmanuel Macron weighed in, stating, “The challenge we face is combating human traffickers and dismantling these illegal immigration networks.” He also acknowledged that migration itself does not inherently carry a negative connotation.
The charity Utopia 56, dedicated to assisting migrants, called for a change in the current approach. “To end these tragedies, the government must alter its strategy by launching humanitarian rescue operations at sea, coupled with policies for safe reception in France and secure passage to England,” they articulated.
Tragically, eight migrants perished in mid-September when their overloaded vessel capsized while making the same perilous trek across the Channel. The cycle of misery continues, yet calls for more humanitarian responses echo louder than ever in the aftermath of these surging tragedies.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
