Channel deaths fuel UK-France tensions over migrant boats
3 years ago

Channel deaths fuel UK-France tensions over migrant boats

Associated Press  

LONDON — The deaths of at least 27 people in the English Channel is fueling tensions between the U.K. and France over how to stop migrants from crossing the world’s busiest shipping route in small boats. Despite a pledge from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron that they would “do everything possible” to stop people smugglers from endangering lives, politicians on both sides of the channel are already blaming their counterparts for failing to prevent Wednesday’s tragedy. Because I remind you, when it comes to this, we are holding the border for the British.” Wednesday’s tragedy comes amid an increase in the number of migrants trying to cross the channel in inflatable boats and other small craft after the COVID-19 pandemic limited air and ship travel and Britain’s departure from the European Union curtailed cooperation with neighboring countries. Now the border has become a hard border in a sense, and there is not yet in place a new system that is able to manage and govern that kind of mobility.’’ But British newspapers took aim at France, publishing images of French police watching migrants launch inflatable boats just hours before 27 people, including a pregnant woman and three children, died in the channel. “Britain has offered to help with people and resources, and I hope the French will now take up that offer and other European countries will come to France’s aid.” Pierre-Henri Dumont, a French lawmaker from the channel port of Calais, warned that the British proposal wouldn’t solve the problem along 300 kilometers of coastline that needs to be constantly monitored.

History of this topic

UK and Germany sign deal against people smugglers as Europe struggles to halt Channel crossings
2 weeks ago
Two more bodies are found in the Channel, bringing this week's death toll to six - as more than 50 migrants are rescued amid warnings about 'growing' people-smuggling threat
Trending News
1 month, 2 weeks ago
French maritime authorities report 2 migrant deaths in English Channel
2 months ago
Nearly 500 migrants cross English Channel in one day as nine boats make it to UK with numbers up on this time last year
2 months, 1 week ago
Britain's small boat crisis! More than 13,0000 migrants have crossed the English Channel during Labour's first 100 days in power
2 months, 1 week ago
Attempts to cross the English Channel on small boats leave 4 migrants, including a child, dead
2 months, 2 weeks ago
More dead as migrant boat goes down in Channel
3 months, 1 week ago
A least 8 people have died trying to cross the English Channel, French authorities say
3 months, 1 week ago
Eight died while attempting to cross English Channel from France
3 months, 1 week ago
12 migrants perish crossing Channel
3 months, 2 weeks ago
12 migrants perish crossing Channel
3 months, 2 weeks ago
12 migrants perish crossing Channel
3 months, 2 weeks ago
Migrant boat seen trying to make crossing of English Channel a day after 12 people died
3 months, 2 weeks ago
At least 12 dead after migrant boat capsizes in English Channel, says French interior minister
3 months, 2 weeks ago
France: 13 killed as boat with 50 migrants capsizes in English Channel, massive rescue operation on – India TV
3 months, 3 weeks ago
Almost 500 migrants cross the English Channel in a single day
4 months ago
Five thousand migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats since Keir Starmer became Prime Minister, new figures show
4 months, 1 week ago
Two migrants dead after small boat carrying more than 50 people got into difficulty in the English Channel
4 months, 1 week ago
Border Force returns Channel migrants to France for first time
5 months ago
Migrant dies and 71 others rescued in English Channel, French coastguard says
5 months ago
4 migrants die while attempting to cross the English Channel from northern France
5 months, 1 week ago
Around 80 migrants rescued in English Channel after making risky crossing from France in small boat
6 months, 2 weeks ago
People smugglers 'take advantage' of D-Day anniversary: 80 migrants including a baby are rescued from capsized dinghy in the Channel as perilous crossings are launched while world leaders attend histo
6 months, 2 weeks ago
Migrants accuse French police of forcing them into Channel crossings as numbers hit new record
7 months, 3 weeks ago
Children being used by migrants as 'human shields' on French beaches to stop police reaching their boats, Border Force official claims
7 months, 3 weeks ago
How many migrants have died trying to cross English Channel after five lives are lost in one day
8 months ago
Five Migrants Die Attempting Channel Crossing From France To Britain
8 months ago
More deaths in the English Channel underscore risks for migrants despite UK efforts to stem the tide
8 months ago
5 migrants die while crossing the English Channel hours after the UK approved a deportation bill
8 months ago
English Channel deaths underscore risks for migrants despite U.K. efforts
8 months ago
Girl, 7, drowns as migrants attempt to cross Channel to UK
9 months, 2 weeks ago
Migrants feared dead as small boat gets into difficulty in Channel
9 months, 3 weeks ago
5 migrants killed in another tragedy on perilous sea crossing from France to Britain
11 months, 1 week ago
Five migrants die in first known Channel crossing deaths of the year
11 months, 1 week ago
French report says the UK isn’t cooperating enough to curb migrant crossings across the Channel
11 months, 2 weeks ago
Migrant crossings of English Channel declined by more than a third in 2023, UK government says
11 months, 3 weeks ago
Nine boats carrying 537 people intercepted crossing English Channel
1 year, 2 months ago
More than 230 people arrive in UK in latest small boats Channel crossing
1 year, 3 months ago
France stops fewer Channel migrants – despite £480m funding from UK
1 year, 4 months ago
At least six dead, dozens rescued as migrant boat crossing Channel from France capsizes
1 year, 4 months ago
6 dead, more than 50 rescued from capsized migrant boat in the English Channel
1 year, 4 months ago
At least six dead, dozens rescued as migrant boat capsizes crossing Channel from France to England
1 year, 4 months ago
Six dead after refugee boat capsizes in English Channel
1 year, 4 months ago
UK, France mend ties, leaders agree to tackle Channel boats
1 year, 9 months ago
Why are migrants in small boats a heated issue in the UK?
1 year, 9 months ago
UK says plan to stop Channel migrants pushes bounds of law
1 year, 9 months ago
UK says plan to stop Channel crossings pushes bounds of law
1 year, 9 months ago
UK aims to deport Channel migrants, but critics skeptical
1 year, 9 months ago
U.K. aims to deport migrants who cross the English Channel
1 year, 9 months ago
Total number of migrants crossing Channel in small boats passes 2,000
1 year, 10 months ago

Discover Related