November 2021 English Channel disaster
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (November 2021) |
| Part of the English Channel migrant crossings (2018–present) | |
| Date | 24 November 2021 |
|---|---|
| Location | near Calais, France |
| Cause | Vessel capsized |
| Deaths | 27 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 2 |
| Missing | 1 |
On 24 November 2021 a dinghy 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
Criminal gangs smuggling people from Asia and Africa and across Europe have become common practice in the 21st century.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3]
Reasons for crossing the Channel include family reunion, common language and discontent with the way that migrants are treated by French authorities.[4] It is difficult for them to apply for asylum in the UK until they are physically in the country so many try to cross the English Channel illegally.[3]
Meanwhile, there is an ongoing dispute between Britain and France about the channel crossings and particularly the financing of border protections. Both country's have said that more needs to be done to deal with the problem and suggested that the other side is not doing enough.[5][6]
Incident
On 24 November 2021, a dinghy carrying 30 migrants capsized in the English Channel, in French territorial waters, near Calais and Dunkirk,[7] while trying to reach the UK.[8][9] Twenty-seven people were found dead, while two others survived and were rescued, and another is still missing.[10] A pregnant women and three children were among the dead.[11] The majority of the victims are suspected to be Kurdish people from Iraq.[12] Four suspected smugglers were arrested shortly after.[7][13]
Reactions
Political
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "shocked, appalled and deeply saddened" by the incident.[14] The Home Secretary Priti Patel commented that it was the "starkest possible reminder of the dangers of Channel crossings".[14]
French 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”.[15] French interior minister 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."[14] 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 pressures with refugees.[16] A French local official described it as the worst ever incident, involving people trying to cross to the UK, in the English Channel.[17]
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 slightly 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"[18]
The International Organization for Migration said it was the biggest single loss of life in the Channel since it began collecting data in 2014.[2]
See also
- European migrant crisis
- Migrants around Calais - which many of the migrants came through
References
- ^ "Why are migrants crossing the English Channel?". BBC News. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ a b Therrin, Alex (24 November 2021). "Migrants die in biggest loss of life in Channel". BBC News. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ a b "Why are migrants crossing the English Channel?". BBC News. 7 August 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ "Why do migrants leave France and try to cross the English Channel?". BBC News. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ "Dutzende Tote im Ärmelkanal: »Diese Tragödie ist die Folge der Fehler von Boris Johnson«". Der Spiegel (in German). 25 November 2021. ISSN 2195-1349. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ "Death in the Channel, the blame game in the heart of Europe, explained". TRT World. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b "Dozens drown in English Channel's deadliest migrant drowning accident". DW. Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "At least 30 reported dead after dinghy capsizes in Channel". The Guardian. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Davies, Gareth (24 November 2021). "More than 30 migrants dead after boat capsizes in Channel near Calais". The Telegraph. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ Therrien, Alex (24 November 2021). "Many migrants heading for UK die after boat sinks". BBC News. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ "Pregnant women and three children among 27 drowned in Channel". the Guardian. 25 November 2021. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
- ^ "Children and pregnant woman among 27 Channel victims". BBC. 25 November 2021.
- ^ PA, Michael Drummond and David Hughes; Jackson, Matt (24 November 2021). "English Channel 'disaster' leaves at least 31 migrants including children dead". Wales Online. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c Ambrose, Tom; Davies, Caroline (24 November 2021). "Thirty-one people drown after refugee boat capsizes in Channel, French minister confirms – latest". The Guardian. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "'Disaster' as at least 30 people die in English Channel after boat capsizes". Inverness Courier. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Calais mayor criticises UK's migration policy". BBC News. 24 November 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
- ^ Calais migrant drowning is worst-ever in English channel, official says. Retrieved 24 November 2021 – via MSN News.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "Channel rescue operation after dozens of migrants drown". BBC News. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)