A female migrant is feared dead after allegedly being deliberately thrown into the Channel from a small boat attempting to cross to the UK. The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday morning as the overcrowded vessel made its perilous journey from France.
According to local reports, the woman was thrown into the water near the Clipon jetty in Loon-Plage, northern France, approximately 30 miles east of Calais. Despite a massive search and rescue operation launched by French emergency services, the woman has not been found, and authorities fear she may have drowned.
A police spokesperson confirmed the ongoing investigation, stating, “The authorities do not know if she was able to return to the jetty by her means or if she drowned. Investigators are leaning towards the latter option.” They also noted that the migrants who remained at the scene were uncooperative with the investigation.
This incident highlights the dangers faced by those attempting to cross the Channel, as migrant crossings have surged throughout the summer. Over 500 migrants arrived in the UK on Tuesday alone, bringing the total number for 2024 close to 20,000.
French border police have launched a probe into the incident and are urging any witnesses to come forward with information. This tragic event comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of the handling of migrant crossings, particularly following a video last week showing French border guards ramming a migrant vessel as it departed from Calais.
The woman’s fate adds to the growing death toll of migrants attempting the dangerous journey across the Channel. According to French officials, 25 migrants have died trying to cross the Channel this year alone.
A Home Office spokesperson emphasised the need to end these dangerous crossings, stating, “We all want to see an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which are undermining border security and putting lives at risk.” The UK government has established a new Border Security Command aimed at combating criminal smuggling gangs responsible for organizing these perilous journeys.
As the investigation continues, the tragic circumstances surrounding the woman’s disappearance underscore the urgent need for effective measures to address the ongoing crisis in the Channel.
