5 Migrants Die Crossing English Channel Hours After UK Approves Rwanda Deportation Bill

At least five migrants, including a child, died while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to the UK on Tuesday, just hours after the British Parliament approved a controversial bill to deport some migrants who enter the country illegally to Rwanda. The incident occurred near the town of Wimereux in northern France, where more than 110 people on a small boat capsized after hitting a sandbank.

French authorities reported that around 100 migrants were rescued by the French navy and taken to the port of Boulogne. Emergency services, police, and coastguards were dispatched to the scene, and rescue operations are ongoing in difficult weather conditions with low temperatures and a water temperature of around 10°C.

The tragedy came shortly after the passage of the UK government's Rwanda bill, which aims to deter migrants from arriving in the UK by small boats. The legislation, a key proposal by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, was passed on Monday night after a two-month stalemate in Parliament. The bill designates Rwanda as a safe country for processing asylum claims.

Why this matters: The deadly incident highlights the ongoing migrant crisis and the risks faced by those attempting to cross the English Channel, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes with strong currents. It also raises questions about the effectiveness and morality of the UK's controversial Rwanda deportation plan, which has faced heavy criticism from human rights organizations and the United Nations.

Home Secretary James Cleverly and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded to the incident, with Sunak stating that the Rwanda scheme will deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings. However, the government's immigration bill has faced strong criticism from human rights groups, who have denounced it as cruel and inhumane, arguing that it will put refugees at risk.

The Refugee Council described the deaths as "devastating" and "all the more tragic" coming just hours after the Rwanda bill was passed. Migrant advocates have vowed to continue the fight against the deportation plan. This latest incident is one in a series of deadly events involving migrants attempting to cross the Channel, with an estimated 30,000 people making the crossing so far in 2023 and 12 deaths reported.

Key Takeaways

• At least 5 migrants, including a child, died crossing English Channel to UK.
• Incident occurred near Wimereux, France, where over 110 people capsized in small boat.
• Tragedy came shortly after UK Parliament approved controversial Rwanda deportation bill.
• UK's Rwanda plan faces criticism for putting refugees at risk, deemed cruel and inhumane.
• Estimated 30,000 migrants crossed Channel in 2023, with 12 deaths reported so far.