Four migrants including children aged 5 and 8 dead after packed boat capsizes trying to cross Channel from France
DESPERATE migrants screamed for help as their boat capsized in the Channel, leaving four dead.
The chilling Mayday radio plea, received from a small fishing boat just a few miles off the French coast, begged: “Help us, we’re sinking!”
The message sparked a major rescue effort. But two children aged five and eight plus a man and a woman died while 15 others were taken to hospital.
They were all pulled from stormy seas near the Loon-Plage region of Dunkirk, just after 9.30am.
French patrol boats and a Belgian helicopter were involved in the mission, while RNLI crews were scrambled from Kent.
Sources last night said it was a miracle that a mass tragedy had been avoided.
They added: “The boat had not left French waters but the conditions were pretty tough. The radio message came in at about the same time a yachtsman had reported seeing the vessel in difficulties.
“It was incredibly fortunate the alarm was raised quickly enough for a rescue operation to be mounted.”
Officials confirmed the migrants were Iranian.
Some of those rescued had gone into cardiac arrest, and others suffered hypothermia.
They were reportedly making the dangerous crossing in a desperate bid to reach the UK.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “I am saddened to learn of the tragic loss of life. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones at this time.
“French counterparts are leading on the response and we’ve offered whatever support they need.
“This highlights the dangers with crossing the Channel. I will do everything I can to stop callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people.”
An investigation was opened by Dunkirk's public prosecutor Sébastien Pive to identify the causes of the sinking.
Mr Pive said six migrants were taken into custody for interview.
'RUTHLESS CRIMINAL GANGS'
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “My thoughts are with the loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in the Channel.
“We will do all we can to crack down on the ruthless criminal gangs who prey on vulnerable people by facilitating these dangerous journeys.”
More than 7,000 migrants are said to have made the crossing to the UK from France in the past year.
Thousands have attempted the crossing, often paying people traffickers to help them through one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes in overloaded rubber dinghies.
The Sun Says
THE suffering endured by the children and adults who died in the Channel last night hardly bears thinking about.
Yet the grim story should not surprise us: these lives were not the first to be lost in this way, nor will they be the last.
Which is why it’s time for politicians of all stripes, both French and British, to stop treating this deeply human crisis like a political football.
The tiny, battered boats and rafts used by people-traffickers to smuggle thousands of migrants across the Channel simply aren’t seaworthy.
Until we find a way to stop those journeys taking place, these tragedies will keep happening.
Britain has repeatedly pressed President Emmanuel Macron’s government to do more to prevent the migrants leaving France.
Before this tragedy, three people had lost their lives attempting to cross the Channel this year.
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And in 2019, four refugees drowned making the perilous trip.
- If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
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