Two illegal migrants died in the English Channel after setting off from the French coast in an unsteady rubber dinghy on Sunday morning.
It comes after two people drowned off the coast of Calais on Sunday, making 25 migrants who have died in the Channel trying to reach British coasts so far this year. Daily Mail Reports.
French maritime officials said around 50 migrants had been returned to France, despite official policy from Paris to help them reach British waters rather than return them due to safety concerns.
Some 17,639 illegal migrants on 343 boats have reached safety in the UK so far this year, via dangerous and congested waterways, according to analysis of Home Office statistics.
Another Channel migrant drowns as Starmer discusses immigration with European leadershttps://t.co/T33emozl0G
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) July 18, 2024
Commenting on the latest fatality, a UK Coastguard spokesman said: “The UK Coastguard offered assistance to the French Coastguard following an incident involving a small vessel in the Channel on the morning of Sunday 11th August.
“Search and rescue teams and Border Patrol vessels have been dispatched to assist.”
A Home Office spokesman added: “We can confirm there has been a tragic incident involving a small boat in French territorial waters, resulting in the loss of two lives.”
“This latest tragedy highlights the terrible dangers of small boat travel and we continue to do all we can to prevent ruthless criminals from exploiting vulnerable people. Our thoughts are with those affected.”
More than 3,000 illegal immigrants are estimated to have crossed the English Channel since Sir Keir Starmer’s new left-wing Labour government came to power last month.
3,000 illegal immigrants have landed in the UK since the Labour government came to power https://t.co/FdkOIhmycj
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) August 1, 2024
