Tragedy in the Channel: Child among victims as crossings surge

On Saturday, there were two accidents on the French side of the English Channel, resulting in the deaths of at least four migrants, including a child. The information was reported by the local newspaper "La Voix du Nord".

"Several people died attempting to cross the channel. A child was trampled to death in the boat. A terrible tragedy that must make us all aware of the ongoing catastrophe. The smugglers have the blood of these people on their hands, and our government will intensify the fight against these mafias that are getting rich by organising these perilous crossings," wrote French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on platform X.

Details of the victims are provided by "La Voix du Nord", indicating that three people died in a boat accident near Calais and one near Boulogne. AFP, quoting Olivier Barbarin, the mayor of Le Portel, reports that the deceased child was about four years old.

Exactly one month ago, on the French side of the English Channel, another accident resulted in the death of 12 migrants. The increasing number of accidents is caused by gangs overloading dinghies with people headed for the United Kingdom and the lack of proper safety measures, such as life jackets.

Data from the UK Home Office shows that from the beginning of the year to October 4, 25,639 people illegally entered the United Kingdom. This is slightly more than in the equivalent period last year, when the figure was 25,330.