Thursday, November 25, 2021
27 migrants drowned
Channel disaster divides Paris and London
Thousands of migrants illegally cross the English Channel every year. Fatal accidents occur again and again during the crossings. At least 27 people died in the most recent disaster. France and Britain blame each other.
After at least 27 people died in the English Channel, British and French authorities blame each other for the disaster. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for cooperation, but at the same time called on France to tighten controls. The incident shows that the measures taken so far have not been sufficient to deter migrants from the dangerous crossing. The mayor of the French coastal town of Calais, Natacha Bouchart, accused Johnson of cowardice. The prime minister takes no responsibility, said Bouchart.
On Wednesday, a boat carrying 33 migrants who wanted to enter the UK illegally capsized in the English Channel. The French authorities announced that 27 people died, including five women and a girl. Four suspected smugglers were arrested. In the evening, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin had named a figure of 31 dead. How many people in total were on the wrecked boat in the English Channel cannot be said in conclusion, said a spokeswoman for the Interior Ministry in Paris.
According to French sources, it was the worst incident ever involving migrants in the strait. Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said the rickety dinghy was more like an inflatable swimming pool for the garden. The English Channel between Dover and Calais is considered to be the busiest shipping route in the world.
“This shows that nothing can stop the gangs that send people out to sea in these dangerous vehicles,” said Premier Johnson. He offered to help the French officials inspect the canal. In northern France, a number of migrants are waiting under adverse circumstances for a crossing to Great Britain. If the smugglers are not made clear that their business model is no longer working, they will continue to risk people’s lives and “get away with murder,” Johnson said.
Activists and members of associations that campaign for the rights of migrants gathered after the accident with posters in front of the port of Calais.
(Photo: dpa)
Darmanin also insisted on tougher action against the smugglers, whom he compared to terrorists and big drug lords. “This is an international problem,” he said. “The answer must also come from Great Britain, we must fight against people smugglers together.” A coordinated approach, including Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, is necessary. French head of state Emmanuel Macron referred to the joint efforts with Great Britain, since the beginning of the year smugglers had been arrested on the French coast as early as 1552 and 44 smuggling networks had been broken up. “If we don’t step up our efforts immediately, more tragedies will repeat themselves.”
So far this year, more than 25,700 people have illegally crossed the English Channel. That is more than three times as many as in all of 2020. It was only in July that London and Paris agreed a new cooperation agreement to get a grip on the growing number of migrants coming to England in small boats across the English Channel. London pledged € 62.7 million to support the French authorities. Johnson also met criticism in his own country. The misanthropic policies of his conservative government were responsible for the tragedy, stressed several politicians of the opposition Labor party on Wednesday evening. Instead of harsh asylum laws, the government must provide humane and safe routes to Britain.
The British Home Secretary Priti Patel in particular is under pressure because of the growing number of migrants. Conservative circles and the media speak of a “crisis”. However, the number of refugees seeking asylum in the UK is significantly lower than in other European countries. Patel had announced that the crossings would be terminated. After Brexit, the government introduced strict immigration rules. But Patel has not yet found a way to stop the migration across the English Channel. Most recently, she announced a tightening of the asylum rules.
On Wednesday the water in the English Channel was quite calm, which is also why, according to experts, many migrants dared the crossing. The French Interior Minister Darmanian said 255 people had reached England, 671 were still stopped in France. In France, 580 police officers were on duty on the coast.