Tragic Incident in the English Channel: Five Migrants Lose Their Lives
Three men, a woman, and a seven-year-old girl tragically lost their lives in the early hours of Tuesday in the sea near the northern French town of Wimereux. The incident occurred as they were attempting to cross the English Channel from France.
Arrests Made in Connection with the Tragedy
Following the incident, three men have been arrested in the UK for their involvement in the illegal immigration attempt. The National Crime Agency reported that two Sudanese nationals aged 19 and 22, as well as a 22-year-old South Sudan national, were detained in connection with the case.
They were arrested on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and entering the UK illegally. The suspects were taken to a police station in Kent, southeast England, for questioning.
Details of the Tragic Event
The group had set off in a packed boat before dawn, but their engine stopped a few hundred meters from the beach, leading to several people falling into the water. Despite the rescue efforts that saved around 50 individuals, emergency services were unable to resuscitate the five victims.
Response and Investigation
The NCA, in collaboration with French authorities, is supporting the investigation into the incident. This tragedy highlights the dangers associated with such illegal crossings and underscores the importance of targeting the criminal networks behind them.
According to an AFP tally, fifteen individuals have lost their lives this year while attempting to cross the English Channel, surpassing the total number of deaths from the previous year. NCA’s deputy director of investigations, Craig Turner, emphasized the need to secure evidence, identify those responsible, and ensure justice is served.
