UK: 4 deaths reported as boat carrying migrants sinks off coast while PM tries to tighten rules
- British, French authorities involved in rescue operation with lifeboats, helicopters; PM Sunak has been trying to tighten rules to prevent illegal crossings
- Small boats, often inflatable dinghies, regularly carry people across the Channel from France; this year more than 40,000 have arrived via that route, a record high
At least four people died when a small boat apparently packed with migrants capsized in freezing temperatures in the Channel overnight, the UK government said on Wednesday.
Dozens of others were plucked from the waters of one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes in a large-scale rescue operation involving UK and French emergency services.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called it a “tragic loss of human life”, just as he tries to tighten rules to prevent record numbers of migrants from attempting the crossing.
“After a coordinated search and rescue operation led by HM Coastguard, it is with regret that there have been four confirmed deaths as a result of this incident. Investigations are ongoing and we will provide further information in due course,’’ the government said in a statement. “This is a truly tragic incident.”
British media said earlier that 43 people were rescued, including more than 30 who had fallen overboard, with fears the death toll will rise.
A major search and rescue operation off the coast of southern England was launched in the early hours involving coastguard vessels and helicopters, with help from the French navy.