Bodies of Migrant Tragedy Victims Return to Kurdistan
On Sunday, a plane carrying the coffins of 27 migrant victims landed at Erbil International Airport, the capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdish region. Ambulances swiftly transported the bodies to their hometowns, as heartbroken families waited tearfully.
“The last time I heard my son’s voice was when he got on the boat. He said, ‘Don’t worry Mum, I will reach England shortly’. Now he’s back to me in a coffin,” said Shukriya Bakir.
Deadliest Channel Crossing Disaster on Record
The November 24 tragedy is the deadliest ever involving migrants and refugees crossing the Channel from France to the UK. Among those who died were seven women, a 16-year-old, and a seven-year-old child.
- 16 Iraqi Kurds
- 1 Iranian Kurd
- 4 Afghan men
- 3 Ethiopians
- 1 Somali
- 1 Egyptian
Why Are They Risking It All?
Though Iraq ended its war with the defeat of ISIS in 2017, rampant unemployment, poor public services, and widespread corruption leave many with little hope for the future. This drives thousands to embark on dangerous journeys. Hundreds of thousands from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Sudan, and beyond have fled conflict and poverty, often relying on smugglers to reach Europe.
Channel Crossings Surge Amid Tighter Security
In recent months, the UK has seen a sharp rise in migrants attempting perilous Channel crossings from France in small, unsafe boats. This year’s crossings have tripled compared to 2020. While both the UK and France have pledged to crack down harder, diplomatic tensions have soared following the horrific November disaster.
