Skip to main content

NUMBER OF PEOPLE CROSSING THE SEA TO EUROPE REACH RECORD HIGH AS MAN DIES

 

Channel migrant crossings reach record high as man dies


French Navy helicopter

IMAGE SOURCE,

Image caption,

French and Belgian helicopters joined the search as a boat sank

Nearly 600 migrants crossed the Channel on the same day a man died making the journey, the government has confirmed.

The Home Office said UK authorities dealt with 592 people on Thursday - the highest figure for a single day.

French authorities reported more than 160 rescues on Thursday after several boats got into difficulty.

Prosecutors in France have begun a manslaughter investigation into the death of the Eritrean man after he was winched from the sea.

Nikolai Posner from migrant charity Utopia 56 spoke to survivors in Dunkirk. He said the 27-year-old jumped into the water to lighten the load of the sinking vessel on which he was travelling as his 22-year-old girlfriend watched.

About 40 people were on board the boat when it began to go down, prompting a huge emergency response in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

French authorities believe the man, who was taken to hospital in Calais, suffered cardio-respiratory arrest.

'Ordinary people fleeing'

The Home Office has confirmed 592 people were rescued or intercepted during 16 incidents dealt with by the UK on Thursday, and said the French intercepted 18 crossings, preventing 420 people from setting out on the journey.

Clandestine Channel Threat Commander Dan O'Mahoney said: "We've seen a surge in illegal migration across Europe with people-smugglers organising waves of departures from French beaches.

"Last Thursday's death is a tragic reminder of the importance of stopping migrants from leaving the safety of France on these dangerous crossings.

"The government's New Plan for Immigration is the only long-term solution to fix the broken system, tackle the criminal gangs and prevent more tragedies."

But Lisa Doyle, director of advocacy and engagement at the Refugee Council, said: "While there is war, persecution and violence, people will be forced to take dangerous journeys to seek safety.

"We are talking about ordinary men, women and children who are forced to flee their home through no fault of their own."

She said: "The government must change its approach. Instead of seeking to punish or push away people seeking safety because of the type of journey they have made to the UK, they must create and commit to safe routes."


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Countries Accepting Nigerians Seeking Second Citizenship

  Countries Accepting Nigerians Seeking Second Citizenship Nigerians are able to access the following citizenship and immigration programs: The Caribbean Second Citizenship Programs, Caribbean nations like St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia and Grenada offer second citizenship through their respective Citizenship-by-Investment programs. A holder of one of these passports may travel visa free to about 135 countries, including all European Union countries, the UK, Russia, Turkey, Singapore and Hong Kong. Holding a citizenship from one of these respected countries may also make it easier to obtain residency status or study in other countries, and allows political security and makes it easier to open bank accounts in foreign jurisdictions. To qualify, an applicant needs to be of good reputation and make a government donation of at least $100,000 USD after approval of their citizenship application.  Approval of a Citizenship-by-Investment application normally takes about 3 months, a...

EXCLUSIVE BREAST MILK IS THE BEST ONDO FIRST LADY TELLS NURSING MOTHERS AT BREASTFEEDING WEEK CELEBRATION

    Government Stresses Importance of Breast milk for Children as  Ondo State Celebrates Commencement of World Breastfeeding  Week   . ....525 nursing mothers breastfeed children. Ondo State on Friday joined the rest of Nigeria and the International Community in the celebration of 2024 World Breastfeeding Week. In a message to the event, held at the International Event Centre,  The Dome, in Akure, the First Lady, Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa emphasized the critical importance of initiating breastfeeding within the first hour of birth and maintaining exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. The wife of the Governor, who was represented by Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Lola Fagbemi, reiterated that workplaces in the state are being adapted to support nursing mothers, highlighting the state's commitment to providing conducive environments for breastfeeding. She noted that Ondo State places significant priority on maternity leave for nursing ...

INFRASTRUCTURE MINISTRY CELEBRATES PASTOR BABALOLA FOR TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP

Ministry Celebrates Pastor Babalola for Transformative Leadership  The Ministry of Works and Infrastructure has honored Pastor Joseph Ayoade Babalola, the immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Lands, and Housing, for his exceptional leadership, character, and contributions during his tenure. The event, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, was attended by top government officials and staff, who described Pastor Babalola as a visionary leader, a mentor, and a team player who exemplified humility and a strong work ethic. Speaking at the ceremony, the Administrative Secretary of the Ministry, Engineer Akinluyi Omotola, emphasized the need to celebrate Babalola’s legacy, which, according to him, left an indelible mark on the Ministry. “Pastor Babalola brought a new dimension to leadership during his short but impactful tenure. He fostered unity, love, and inclusion, ensuring that no officer was sidelined or marginalized. His humility, openness, and respect fo...