View source for November 2021 English Channel disaster

{{Short description|Boat capsizing during a migrant crossing}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox event
| partof                   = the [[English Channel migrant crossings (2018–present)]]
| image                    = 
| image_size               =
| caption                  =
| date                     = 24 November 2021
| time                     =
| place                    = near [[Calais]], France
| coordinates              = {{coord|display=title,inline}}
| map              = {{location map|English Channel}}
| cause                    = Vessel capsized
| outcome                  = 
| reported deaths          = 27
| reported injuries        = 2
| reported missing         = 1
| reported property damage =
| burial                   =
| inquiries                =
| suspects                 =
| charges                  =
| verdict                  =
| convictions              =
| litigation               =
| notes                    =
}}
On 24 November 2021, an [[Inflatable boat|inflatable dinghy]] carrying migrants from France to the United Kingdom capsized in the [[English Channel]] causing the deaths of 27 of the 30 people on board. It is believed to be the deadliest incident in the English Channel since the [[International Organization for Migration]] began collecting data in 2014.

==Background==
{{main|English Channel migrant crossings (2018–present)}}
[[File:Strait of Dover map.png|thumb|English Channel showing the Strait of Dover]]
[[People smuggling]] across Europe has become a common practice by [[Organized crime|criminal gangs]] in the 21st century.<ref name=":3">{{cite news|date=25 November 2021|title=Why do migrants leave France and try to cross the English Channel?|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53699511|access-date=25 November 2021}}</ref> In recent times, significant numbers of migrants have crossed the [[English Channel]] from France to get to the UK. This included 25,700 between the start of 2021 and the time of this incident.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Therrin|first=Alex|date=24 November 2021|title=Migrants die in the biggest loss of life in Channel|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-59406355|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref> In the past many migrants illegally boarded lorries which used the [[Channel Tunnel]], but as port security has tightened more have tried to cross in small inflatable boats.<ref name=":3"/>

Reasons for crossing the Channel include family reunion, common language, and British migration and labour rules.<ref name=":3" /> It is impossible to apply for [[asylum in the UK]] until they are physically in the country<ref>{{cite web|url=https://help.unhcr.org/uk/asylum/ |title=Asylum in the United Kingdom |quote=...To apply for asylum in the UK, you must be physically in the UK... |work=help.unhcr.org |access-date=29 November 2021}}</ref> so many try to cross the English Channel illegally.<ref name=":3" />

On 23 November ''[[The Times]]'' reported that, due to the increase in the number of migrants crossing from France to the UK, the UK had offered to provide police officers to help the French to patrol their beaches. This offer was reported to have been rejected by the French, due to concerns that it would represent a breach of their sovereignty.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Swinford|first=Steven|date=23 November 2021|title=French reject offer of police beach patrols to stop migrants crossing the Channel|work=The Times|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/french-reject-offer-of-police-beach-patrols-to-stop-migrants-crossing-the-channel-8wh0h2kbt|access-date=}}</ref>

==Incident==
On 24 November 2021, an [[Inflatable boat|inflatable dinghy]], carrying 30 migrants across the English Channel from France to the UK, capsized whilst still in French [[territorial waters]] near [[Calais]] and [[Dunkirk]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|title=Dozens drown in English Channel's deadliest migrant drowning accident|work=[[Deutsche Welle|DW]]|publisher=Deutsche Welle|url=https://www.dw.com/en/dozens-drown-in-english-channels-deadliest-migrant-drowning-accident/a-59922735|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="guard">{{Cite news|date=24 November 2021|title=At least 30 reported dead after dinghy capsizes in Channel|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/24/several-people-dead-migrant-boat-capsizes-channel|access-date=24 November 2021|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Davies|first=Gareth|date=24 November 2021|title=More than 30 migrants dead after boat capsizes in Channel near Calais|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/11/24/20-migrants-die-boat-capsizes-channel-near-calais/|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref> Twenty-seven people were found dead, while two others survived and were rescued, and another is still missing.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Therrien|first=Alex|date=24 November 2021|title=Many migrants heading for UK die after boat sinks|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59406355|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=25 November 2021|title=Pregnant woman and three children among 27 drowned in Channel|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/nov/25/drowned-people-were-mostly-kurds-from-iraq-or-iran-says-france|access-date=25 November 2021|work=The Guardian}}</ref> Sixteen of the victims were identified as [[Kurds|Kurdish]] people from [[Iraqi Kurdistan]], including ten men, four women and two children; four more were Afghan men, three [[Ethiopians]], one Kurdish man from [[Iranian Kurdistan|Iran]], a [[Somalis|Somali]] woman, one [[Vietnamese people|Vietnamese]] man, and an [[Egyptians|Egyptian]] man.<ref>{{Cite web|author=The New Arab Staff & Agencies|date=2021-12-17|title=All 27 migrants drowned in English Channel identified|url=https://english.alaraby.co.uk/news/all-27-migrants-drowned-english-channel-identified|access-date=2021-12-18|website=[[The New Arab]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59650239|title=Channel tragedy: French authorities identify 26 victims|work=BBC|date=14 December 2021}}</ref> Four suspected [[People smuggling|smugglers]] were arrested shortly after.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last1=Drummond|first1=Michael|last2=Hughes|first2=David|last3=Jackson|first3=Matt|agency=PA|date=24 November 2021|title=English Channel 'disaster' leaves at least 31 migrants including children dead|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/uk-news/english-channel-disaster-leaves-least-22267745|access-date=24 November 2021|work=[[Wales Online]]}}</ref>

A [[Dover]]-based fisherman described to [[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] how he thought French vessels did not respond to [[Mayday]] calls from the French coastguard to attend the incident in French waters about {{Convert|7|miles|km}} off Calais. He said that the alarm was raised at about 1{{Nbsp}}pm and that there were about 15-20 large French fishing vessels off Calais at the time which did not respond. On the other hand, boats from [[HM Coastguard]] at Dover and the [[Border Force|British Border Force's]] vessel ''BF Hurricane'' arrived on the scene around 45 minutes later.<ref name=":4" />

The French authority that was responsible for overseeing the French side of the English Channel where the incident occurred said that a British helicopter from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Dover had joined a French naval helicopter and patrol vessel, a police boat, and a lifeboat to search for survivors and to recover bodies.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last1=Riddle|first1=Joe|last2=Davies|first2=Gareth|date=24 November 2021|title=Channel migrants: At least 27 dead after boat capsizes near Calais|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/11/24/20-migrants-die-boat-capsizes-channel-near-calais/}}</ref>

On 28 November, one of the two survivors was reported by ''[[Rudaw Media Network|Rudaw]]'' to have said that after their boat began to deflate they called the French authorities for help, but were told they were in British waters, so they called British authorities, but no one came to help.<ref>{{cite news|title=كوردە رزگاربووەكەی نۆكەندی ئینگلیز بۆ رووداو : پۆلیسی بەریتانیا و فەرەنسا بە هانامانەوە نەهاتن|language=ckb|work=[[Rudaw Media Network]]|agency=Rudaw|url=https://www.rudaw.net/sorani/kurdistan/2811202125|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Shino|first1=Znar|last2=Hawramy|first2=Fazel|title=Exclusive: Migrant survivor says British coastguard ignored call for help|work=[[Rudaw Media Network]]|agency=Rudaw|url=https://www.rudaw.net/english/world/28112021|access-date=28 November 2021}}</ref> This was confirmed by the numerous records of the telephone calls and the testimonies of the victims' relatives<ref name="LeMonde">{{Cite news|date=9 December 2021|title=Naufrage dans la Manche : les migrants avaient bien appelé les secours |trans-title=Shipwreck in the Channel: the migrants had called for help |language=fr|work=Le Monde.fr|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2021/12/09/naufrage-dans-la-manche-les-migrants-avaient-bien-appele-les-secours_6105249_3224.html|access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref> and in November 2022, by elements from the French official enquiry.<ref>On 1 December, the second survivor was reported to have directly witnessed calls from the deflating dinghy to emergency services.</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=2022-11-13 |title=L'enquête sur la mort de 27 migrants dans la Manche en 2021 accable les secours |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2022/11/13/migrants-morts-en-traversant-la-manche-le-24-novembre-2021-l-enquete-accablante-pour-les-secours_6149691_3224.html |access-date=2022-11-16}}</ref>

The UK [[Maritime and Coastguard Agency]] said that on 24 November they had received "more than 90 alerts, including 999 emergency calls, from the English Channel" and had responded to all of the calls.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-59480814 |title=Survivor: I'm haunted by deadliest Channel crossing |date=1 December 2021 |access-date=1 December 2021 |work=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> However, a Guardian investigation reported that in the lead up to the disaster, hundreds of migrants were "left adrift" in the channel with no assistance. "Around 440 people appear to have been left adrift after the coastguard sent no rescue vessels to 19 reported boats carrying migrants in UK waters, according to an analysis of internal records and marine data seen by the ''Observer'' and ''Liberty Investigates''. Experts said the failure to act appears to breach international law."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Walawalkar |first1=Aaron |last2=Townsend |first2=Mark |last3=Rose |first3=Eleanor |date=2023-04-29 |title=UK coastguard 'left Channel migrants adrift' in lead-up to mass drowning |language=en-GB |work=The Observer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/29/uk-coastguard-left-channel-migrants-adrift-in-lead-up-to-mass-drowning |access-date=2023-07-31 |issn=0029-7712}}</ref>

Meanwhile, an investigation by The Independent found that "It took the UK and French coastguards 12 hours to respond following the first mayday call, with the authorities arguing over who was responsible. By the time rescue vessels and aircraft arrived at the scene, all but two of the passengers had drowned and died of exposure."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-23 |title=Revealed: Coastguard failings in run up to Channel migrant drowning disaster |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/channel-drowning-coastguard-migrants-disaster-b2231527.html |access-date=2023-07-31 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

==Inquiries==
An inquiry in France in November 2022 indicated that the migrants called many times the emergency services in France and Britain, but no rescue was initiated following these calls.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-16 |title=DOCUMENT FRANCEINFO. "T'entends pas, tu seras pas sauvé" : l'enquête sur le naufrage mortel de migrants dans la Manche accable les secours français |url=https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/le-choix-franceinfo/document-franceinfo-t-entends-pas-tu-seras-pas-sauve-l-enquete-sur-le-naufrage-d-une-embarcation-de-migrants-en-novembre-2021-dans-la-manche-accable-les-secours-francais_5450998.html |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Franceinfo |language=fr-FR}}</ref> It later transpired that eighteen emergency calls were made by the migrants to the French authorities.<ref name=":5" /> It appears that the stricken dinghy, although in French waters, was not far from being in English waters,<ref name="LeMonde" /> with the implication that each authority was expecting the other to come to the rescue first.{{Citation needed|date=November 2022|reason=that conclusion needs attributing and a reference}}

== Aftermath ==
There have been ongoing negotiations between the UK and France about the channel crossings and particularly the financing of border protections. Both the UK and France have said that more needs to be done to deal with the problem and suggested that the other side is not doing enough.<ref>{{Cite news|date=25 November 2021|title=Dutzende Tote im Ärmelkanal: »Diese Tragödie ist die Folge der Fehler von Boris Johnson« |trans-title=Dozens of dead in the English Channel: »This tragedy is the result of Boris Johnson's mistakes|language=de|work=Der Spiegel|url=https://www.spiegel.de/ausland/fluechtlinge-im-aermelkanal-diese-tragoedie-ist-die-folge-der-fehler-von-boris-johnson-a-3abf920a-2c93-447f-abfb-1eff2ffdf8d7|access-date=25 November 2021|issn=2195-1349}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Death in the Channel, the blame game in the heart of Europe, explained|url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/death-in-the-channel-the-blame-game-in-the-heart-of-europe-explained-52014|access-date=25 November 2021|website=[[TRT World]]}}</ref>

In June 2022, French police arrested fifteen suspected people smugglers in connection with the deaths.<ref>{{ cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61996698 | date = 30 June 2022 | title = Calais migrant crisis: 15 arrested over Channel tragedy | work = [[BBC News]] }}</ref> Another suspect was arrested in Britain in November.<ref>{{ cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63809207 | date = 30 November 2022 | title = Man appears in court over English Channel dinghy deaths | work = [[BBC News]] }}</ref> Nine people, including five French soldiers, were charged in May 2023 with failing to rescue the victims.<ref>{{ cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65714082 | date = 26 May 2023 | title = Channel migrants tragedy: Five French soldiers accused of failing to help | work = [[BBC News]] }}</ref>

==Reactions==
===Political===
====From the United Kingdom====
[[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[Boris Johnson]] said he was "shocked, appalled and deeply saddened" by the incident.<ref name="guardlive">{{cite web|last1=Ambrose|first1=Tom|last2=Davies|first2=Caroline|date=24 November 2021|title=Thirty-one people drown after refugee boat capsizes in Channel, French minister confirms – latest|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/nov/24/more-than-20-people-believed-to-have-died-after-refugee-boat-sinks-in-channel-latest-updates?filterKeyEvents=false&page=with:block-619e8a788f08d997d44acf14|access-date=24 November 2021|work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The Home Secretary [[Priti Patel]] commented that it was the "starkest possible reminder of the dangers of Channel crossings".<ref name=guardlive/>

[[Natalie Elphicke]], the MP for [[Dover (UK Parliament constituency)|Dover]], criticised the actions of the French authorities as "playing us for fools" after French police were seen watching a group of at least 40 migrants, including at least 5 children, gathering on the beach near [[Wimereux]] with a large inflatable boat, and staying in their car and taking no action, whilst the group took to the sea en route to the UK.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Hymas|first1=Charles|last2=Rayner|first2=Gordon|date=24 November 2021|title=French police 'stood by and watched' migrants hours before deadly Channel crossing|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2021/11/24/channel-migrant-smugglers-maximise-profits-bigger-boats-can/|access-date=}}</ref>

====From France====
[[Prime Minister of France|Prime Minister]] [[Jean Castex]] described the incident as a "tragedy" and described the drowned as “victims of criminal smugglers who exploit their distress and injury”.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 November 2021|title='Disaster' as at least 30 people die in English Channel after boat capsizes|url=https://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/national/disaster-as-at-least-30-people-die-in-english-channel-after-boat-capsizes-34808/|access-date=24 November 2021|work=[[Inverness Courier]]}}</ref> French interior minister [[Gérald Darmanin|Gerald Darmanin]] said that "It is an appalling situation for France, for Europe and for humanity to see these people perish at sea because of people smugglers."<ref name="guardlive" /> The Mayor of Calais, [[Natacha Bouchart]], blamed Johnson's lack of responsibility and inability to take quick action. She also said she had warned members of the government of exceptional pressure on refugees.<ref>{{cite news|date=24 November 2021|title=Calais mayor criticises UK's migration policy|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-59406632?ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=twitter&ns_campaign=bbc_live&ns_linkname=619e8d77531c2c473335eedf%26Calais%20mayor%20criticises%20UK%27s%20migration%20policy%262021-11-24T19%3A36%3A15.377Z&ns_fee=0&pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:c427cabb-3a9b-4b68-bb71-e5990a200dad&pinned_post_asset_id=619e8d77531c2c473335eedf&pinned_post_type=share|access-date=24 November 2021}}</ref> A French local official described it as the worst ever incident, involving people trying to cross to the UK, in the English Channel.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/calais-migrant-drowning-is-worst-ever-in-english-channel-official-says/ar-AAR5RlY|title=Calais migrant drowning is worst-ever in English channel, official says|agency=Reuters|access-date=24 November 2021|via=MSN News}}</ref>

On 27 November, [[Margaritis Schinas]], vice-president of the [[European Commission]], recalling that "the main slogan of the referendum campaign [on Brexit] was 'We take back control", explains that the United Kingdom has left the EU, it "must now decide how to organise the management of border control".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://globeecho.com/news/europe/united-kingdom/migrants-in-the-channel-for-europe-it-is-up-to-london-to-manage-border-control/ |title=Migrants in the Channel: for Europe, it is up to London to manage border control|date=27 November 2021 |access-date=30 November 2021 |work=globeecho.com}}</ref>

On 28 November, the Ministers of Interior of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the European Commission met in Calais and decided jointly to address the issue by deploying common EU resources at the border, including joint surveillance via [[Frontex]].

Local [[Member of Parliament (France)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Pas-de-Calais's 7th constituency|Calais]] [[Pierre-Henri Dumont]] blamed the tragedy on [[Brexit]] and criticised [[Boris Johnson]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Calais MP Pierre-Henri Dumont reacts to Boris Johnson's plan after Channel deaths - CNN Video|date=26 November 2021 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2021/11/26/calais-mp-brexit-sot-bianca-nobilo-tgb-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn|access-date=27 November 2021}}</ref> [[Damien Carême]], an MEP from Europe Ecology, had previously proposed that<ref>{{Citation|url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/united-kingdom/news/article/le-touquet-agreement-q-r-25-nov-2021 |title=Le Touquet agreement - Q&R - (25 Nov. 2021) |work=www.diplomatie.gouv.fr |access-date=29 November 2021}}</ref> France renounce the [[Le Touquet Agreement|Le Touquet agreement]].<ref>{{Citation|title=Channel migrants: French politicians call on the UK to overhaul 'lax' labour laws to deter crossings |url=https://www.euronews.com/2021/10/11/channel-migrants-french-politicians-call-on-uk-to-overhaul-lax-labour-laws-to-deter-crossi |date=12 October 2021 |work=www.euronews.com |access-date=29 November 2021}}</ref>

===Other===
A representative of the migrant charity Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said in response to the incident that the UK should take more refugees as it was a more stable place and could offer better protection, and "...if everybody is supposed to stay in France because we're slight to the west of France, then France can say the same thing to [[Italy]], and then Italy can say the same thing to [[Libya]], and in the end, the entire international refugee protection regime will crumble."<ref>{{Cite news|title=Channel rescue operation after dozens of migrants drown|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-59406632|access-date=24 November 2021|work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

The [[International Organization for Migration]] stated that this incident was the biggest single loss of life in the English Channel since it began collecting data in 2014.<ref name=":1" />

==See also==
* [[2000 Dover incident]]
* [[Essex lorry deaths]]
* [[European migrant crisis]]
* [[Migrants around Calais]] – an area from which many of the migrants have come

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{2021 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:English Channel disaster, November 2021}}
[[Category:2021 disasters in France]]
[[Category:21st century in Hauts-de-France]]
[[Category:France–United Kingdom relations]]
[[Category:History of the English Channel|November 2021 disaster]]
[[Category:Kurdish refugees]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 2021]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in France]]
[[Category:November 2021 events in France]]
[[Category:Migrant boat disasters]]
[[Category:Migrant boat disasters in Europe]]