British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he is “shocked and terrified” after the boat full of migrants sank.
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It is the deadliest accident that has hit this busy migrant route between France and the UK since it was launched on a large scale in 2018, according to the news agency AFP.
– This disaster in the Channel is a tragedy, tweeted the French Prime Minister Jean Castex after the accident.
The French Interior Ministry said on Wednesday afternoon that patrol vessels found dead and unconscious people in the water after a fisherman sounded the alarm. French police later said 27 people had been confirmed dead. They went by boat from Dunkirk east of Calais in a boat with about 50 people on board.
Three helicopters and three boats took part in the search for survivors, according to local authorities.
The British Prime Minister also commented on the dramatic incident on Wednesday night:
“I am shocked and appalled,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who called the incident a “disaster”.
Homicide investigation
French prosecutors have opened an investigation into negligent homicide, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called for an emergency meeting after the drowning accident became known.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin was on his way to the site on Wednesday.
“The criminal nature of the smugglers who organize these crossings cannot be condemned enough,” Darmanin tweeted.
“My thoughts are with the many missing and injured, victims of criminal smugglers who exploit their despair,” says Castex.
–Fighting
The accident happens as Britain and France continue to argue over how to deal with the influx of migrants and refugees. The British have asked France to introduce stricter measures to prevent them from embarking on the journey.
According to French authorities, 31,500 people have tried to take this road to Britain so far this year. 7,800 people have been rescued at sea, and the numbers have doubled since August.
Before Wednesday’s tragedy, seven people had been confirmed or feared dead in various incidents so far this year.
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