5 die while crossing English Channel, hours after UK approved deportation bill

Five asylum seekers died while crossing the English Channel from France to Britain in an overcrowded small boat on Tuesday, reported Al Jazeera. The boat carrying 112 people set out from Wimereux, about 32km (20 miles) southwest of the French port of Calais, to cross one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. Rescuers managed to save 49 people, with four requiring hospitalization, while the rest continued their journey towards Britain. Those dead includes a seven-year-old girl, a woman, and three men.

Local prefect Jacques Billant described the harrowing situation, stating that the engine failure led to several individuals falling into the water. Despite rescue efforts, 58 people chose to remain on board, refusing assistance from the French coastguard. The survivors eventually restarted the engine and proceeded towards Britain. “A tragedy occurred on a boat overloaded with migrants early this morning. We deplore the deaths of five people, a seven-year-old girl, a woman and three men.”

“The engine stopped a few hundred metres away from the shore, and several people fell into the water,” Billant added.The French coastguard said that 58 people stayed on board and it was still searching for any other survivors, Al Jazeera reported.”They did not want to be rescued. They managed to restart the engine and headed towards Britain,” Billant said.