One person died attempting to cross the English Channel from France on Wednesday, French officials said.
The fatality occurred after an overcrowded rubber dinghy deflated off the coast of Gravelines on the country’s northern coast, according to the Maritime Prefect of the English Channel and the North Sea.
The 71 other migrants, who were also trying to make the illegal crossing, were rescued.
The public patrol service boat “Cormoron” took 59 people aboard, including one who was unconscious and “could not be revived,” according to the statement from the French authorities.
A British coastguard vessel took a further 13 people aboard, with all those rescued dropped ashore at Calais where they were received by French emergency services.
A plane, two helicopters, and a rescue boat were sent to search for people in the sea.
Both the aircraft and seaborne vessels searched until the light faded and found no other people, according to the statement.
This is the fifth death suffered by a migrant attempting to cross the Channel since the Labour Party took office following the July 4 general election.
It brings the recorded small boat death toll since 2014 to an estimated 84 people.
British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper called the loss of life “truly awful.”
Tackle Root Causes of Crisis
At the meeting at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, one of the main items on the agenda will be the illegal migration “crisis,” according to a government statement released ahead of the talks.Sir Keir said the leaders had to tackle people smugglers to resolve the combined issues of small boats crossing the English Channel, migrants crossing the Mediterranean, and making their way across Europe’s land borders.
“It is now I think a crisis,” he said.
“As we speak, as we gather here, a criminal empire is at work in every country represented here today, profiting off human misery and desperation, prepared to send infants, babies, pregnant mothers, innocent people to their deaths.
“And last week four more souls, and actually last night another one, were lost in the waters of the English Channel—a chilling reminder of the human cost of this vile trade.”
He called the summit an opportunity to “set a new path on illegal migration” with increased cooperation.
“We must combine our resources, share intelligence, share tactics, shut down the smuggling routes, and smash the gangs.”
Sir Keir argued the “root causes” driving migration, such as conflict and extreme poverty, also need to be addressed.
Since July 11, 701 migrants have illegally crossed the Channel in 12 separate vessels, putting the average number of people per boat at around 58.
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill will establish a new Home Office unit, using counter-terror powers to fight organised immigration crime, documents explaining the plans detailed.
The bill, which will apply across the UK if it passes into law, will ensure “secure and stronger borders and a properly controlled and managed asylum system,” according to the government.
It will be funded by money saved by abolishing the Rwanda deportation policy that was a flagship piece of legislation for the previous Conservative administration.
