ALBAWABA - In a devastating incident, a boat transporting migrants across the English Channel between the UK and France has sunk, resulting in the loss of six lives. French coast guard teams have initiated rescue operations, with reports indicating that up to ten people remain missing.
Approximately 50 individuals have been successfully rescued so far. The incident has raised concerns about overcrowded vessels. The UK government is facing calls to establish a more regulated and humane asylum system.
The sinking occurred when a migrant-carrying boat tragically went down in the English Channel, claiming six lives. The French coast guard agency, Premar, reported that five to ten people are still unaccounted for. Both British and French coast guard units have managed to save around 50 people from the stricken vessel.
Saturday's incident was alerted by a passing ship near Calais, France, reporting a heavily overloaded boat in distress off Sangatte. When a French lifeboat reached the scene, numerous distress signals were heard from individuals in the water. An English lifeboat, already assisting another migrant-carrying vessel, joined the rescue effort.
A French prosecutor disclosed that the first identified victim was a male Afghan, aged 25 to 30. This incident marks the seventh rescue operation of its kind this week.
Enver Solomon, Executive Director of the Refugee Council, extended gratitude to rescue teams and urged the UK government to establish a "regulated and humanitarian asylum system."
The English Channel, a vital sea route, witnesses daily traffic of 600 tankers and 200 ferries, making it one of the busiest and most treacherous stretches of water. Suella Braverman, UK Interior Minister, termed the incident a "tragic loss of life."
This incident follows the evacuation of migrants from a planned ferry due to the discovery of Legionnaires' disease onboard, prompting reevaluation of the UK government's resettlement efforts.
