Fourth death in English Channel crossing attempt – Britain and France under pressure

Background: The deadly English Channel route

The English Channel between Dunkirk and the English south-east coast has for years been considered one of the most dangerous routes for migrants seeking to reach Britain without a visa. The often overcrowded inflatable dinghies are launched by smugglers predominantly at night. Maritime rescue services on both sides of the strait have reached the limits of their capacity with the number of interception attempts and recoveries.

London has for some time been trying to curb migration, including with French assistance, and is paying millions for this to Paris. In return, France is stepping up its police presence on its northern coasts and setting up reception camps. Human rights organisations criticise, however, that the封锁 policy strengthens smuggling gangs and increases the dangers for migrants.

London's billion-pound payments to Paris

According to the British Home Office, 752 people have this year already successfully completed a crossing of the English Channel – "as figures from the British Home Office show". The actual number of failed or aborted attempts is, in the assessment of observers, significantly higher, since many boats are intercepted by the French coastguard before they reach international waters.

Reactions in the coastal communities

Residents of the coastal villages between Dunkirk and the Belgian border report a growing burden from improvised camps, rubbish and night-time operations by the emergency services. Mayors have for months been calling for a Europe-wide coordinated strategy. Within the British government too, pressure is mounting to speed up asylum procedures and open up legal channels in order to reduce demand for smuggling services.

With the fourth death within 48 hours, the debate over the British-French migration arrangement has taken on a new urgency. In London, the Home Office and coastguard are under heightened scrutiny, while in Paris the question is being raised of whether the previous line of deterrence along the coast can still be maintained.