On Sunday, October 27, 2024, a 40-year-old Indian migrant lost his life while attempting to cross the Channel to the United Kingdom.
According to French officials, the migrant’s vessel, which was in extremely poor condition, deflated shortly after departing from Tardinghen beach in northern France at approximately 5:30 am local time.
While most passengers managed to swim back to shore, not all of them had life jackets.
Axel Gaudiant, coordinator of migrant aid association Utopia 46 in Calais, condemned the ongoing migration policy, stating, “We can’t bear any more of this migration policy. As far as we’re concerned, that’s what’s responsible” for the deaths.
This year has already witnessed at least 56 fatalities on the France-Britain route, surpassing previous annual records with two months still remaining.
The recent incidents include the loss of two men and a woman on Wednesday when their boat wrecked near Calais, and the death of a four-month-old baby after a boat disintegrated the previous week.
Also, three migrants were hospitalized on Friday due to injuries and hypothermia sustained during attempted crossings.
Britain and France have collaborated to prevent migrants from departing northern France in small boats.
Despite these efforts, over 29,000 migrants have successfully crossed the Channel since the start of 2024, according to the British Home Office.
The National Diaspora Policy 2021 aims to address the challenges of irregular migration,
It should be noted that in the past 10 days, two deadly boat sinkings have claimed multiple lives.
