This morning, four individuals were reported to have perished in the English Channel when their small boat collapsed in icy waters; 43 people were retrieved alive, and a rescue operation is ongoing.
The home secretary stated that the deaths of migrants in the English Channel demonstrate that unlawful crossing is a “deadly endeavor.”
At 3.05 a.m. on Wednesday, a major search and rescue operation involving helicopters and lifeboats was initiated after authorities were notified of a small boat in difficulty in the Channel.
43 individuals have been retrieved alive, some from the ocean and others from the vessel involved.
Four fatalities have been verified by the Ministry of Defense.
Suella Braverman, home secretary, told the Commons, “These are the days we fear. The crossing of the English Channel in unseaworthy vessels is a perilous endeavor.
“It is primarily for this reason that we are exerting so much effort to disrupt the economic model of the people smugglers, who are wicked organized criminals who regard people as cargo.”
She noted that Wednesday’s tragedy is “the most somber reminder” as to why the crossings must halt, and she emphasized the government’s recent agreement with France to increase patrols on French beaches to prevent the crossings.
As she referenced Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s declaration on Tuesday that a new permanent, unified small boats operational command will be formed to bring together military and civilian forces and the National Crime Agency, she stated that this proves “we had to go much further.
She added that the incident demonstrates the need for new legislation to be introduced next year that will make it “clear that if someone comes to the United Kingdom illegally, they should not be able to remain here” and that they will be “detained and swiftly returned to either their home country or a safe country where their asylum claim will be evaluated.”
“Late or frivolous claims and appeals would be prohibited, and those who have been deported will have no right to reentry, settlement, or citizenship,” she added.
According to a French source, the boat was carrying between 30 and 50 individuals when it ran into trouble.
Searches will continue throughout the day, but it is anticipated that many more people are dead due to the freezing temperatures of the water and the unusually severe weather in the United Kingdom.
“There were individuals in the water,” sources estimate the temperature to have been around -4 degrees Celsius.
Although temperatures dropped Friday night, Holland reported that the weather was calm, creating a “window of opportunity” for the migrants to make the crossing.
Earlier, Mr. Sunak began Prime Minister’s Questions by stating, “I’m sure the entire House will share my sadness over the capsizing of a small boat in the Channel this morning and the dreadful loss of life.
Our thoughts go out to all those affected, and we extend our gratitude to all those participating in the huge rescue effort.
Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, tweeted, “Our prayers are with those who capsized in the icy waters of the Channel last night.
“It serves as a reminder that the criminal gangs who operate these routes put the lives of the destitute in danger and profit from their misery. They must be dismantled and prosecuted.”
