At least 12 people have tragically died and two are missing after a boat capsized in the Channel off the coast of Wimereux, as confirmed by French interior minister Gérald Darmanin. The victims were primarily of Eritrean origin. The incident has shed light on the dangers faced by asylum seekers attempting to reach the UK by small boats, with over 50 people being rescued from the water.
The high number of deaths this year has prompted calls for the establishment of safe routes to the UK for asylum seekers. The CEO of global children’s charity Plan International UK, Rose Caldwell, emphasized the need for a framework to improve and expand these safe routes. Various civil society groups and organizations, including Care4Calais and the British Red Cross, have spoken out and called for political leaders to take action to prevent further tragedies.
The incident has sparked discussions about the need for a migration treaty between the UK and the European Union to address the root causes of these dangerous Channel crossings. Border security and asylum minister Dame Angela Eagle has highlighted the deteriorating quality of boats used by asylum seekers, making the journeys increasingly dangerous.
The tragic event has reignited the debate on how to prevent avoidable deaths of individuals fleeing war and torture in search of safety. The French and UK governments, as well as various charities and Labour figures, are urging for coordinated efforts to address the underlying issues and ensure the safety of those seeking refuge.
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