Dozens of migrants have arrived on the English coast just days after six Afghans died crossing the Channel from France. The conservative British government has called for action to take "all possible steps to close down this route."
French prosecutors on Wednesday (August 16) charged four people with involuntary manslaughter over the deaths of at least six migrants whose boat sank in the English Channel on Saturday, French news agency AFP cited a judicial source as saying.
Two Iraqis and two Sudanese have been detained and face charges of criminal conspiracy for illegal immigration.
The small boat carrying about 66 people capsized early Saturday as it headed for the southeast coast of England.
Most of those on board were people from Afghanistan, along with some Sudanese and "a few minors," French authorities said.
A commercial vessel had discovered the shipwreck and alerted authorities. French and British coast guards rescued at least 59 people.
Read also: Paris prosecutors take over investigation into migrant Channel deaths
What caused the vessel to capsize?
According to the Paris prosecutor's office, investigators concluded that an engine breakdown caused the vessel to capsize in rough waters of the English Channel. The vessel was "torn apart at sea," and most of the passengers had no life jackets, the office added.
Emergency services were immediately sent to the scene and that a helicopter and maritime surveillance were also deployed, the prosecutor said.
The Channel between France and Britain is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and currents are strong, making crossing on a small boat highly dangerous.
How did the UK government respond?
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak blamed the tragedy on "criminal gangs who are exploiting people's lives for profit," Sunak's spokesperson told reporters on Monday.
"It's a stark reminder of how dangerous these crossings are and how vitally important it is to disrupt these criminal gangs, and it is right the government acts urgently and takes all possible steps to close down this route," the spokesperson added.
Sunak's spokesperson insisted, however, that the government's policies aimed at discouraging small vessels from crossing the Channel was working, citing fewer arrivals so far this year compared with the same period in 2022.
He added that a deal struck between the UK and France in March to step up migrant patrols was effective.
"Obviously we think there's more to do on both sides but it's true that since we improved and enhanced our relationship with France we have seen more people who would wish to (see) those crossings being intercepted and that's a positive step," the spokesman said.
Sunak has vowed to "stop the boats" as he prepares for an election expected in 2024.
Scores continue to cross the Channel following tragedy
On Wednesday dozens of migrants arrived on a beach in southern England. They were brought ashore by a large lifeboat after making the sea crossing from France on rubber dinghies. According to a Reuters tally, at least 100 migrants – among them many children – arrived that day in the UK.
They are the latest among more than 2,000 migrants who have reached the UK from countries including Iran, Syria and Afghanistan this August. Relatively mild sea and weather conditions in the northern hemisphere summer month usually correspond to a higher number of crossing attempts.
With Reuters and AFP