This year has seen over 70 migrant deaths in the Channel, marking the deadliest year yet in the small boats crisis, as crime gangs adopt more dangerous methods.
London: The situation for migrants crossing the Channel is getting dire. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper recently highlighted that crime gangs are using riskier tactics, leading to a tragic rise in drownings. So far this year, around 75 people have lost their lives trying to make the crossing.
During a meeting with the Calais Group, which includes several European nations, Cooper emphasized the need for stronger action against these gangs. They’re not just smuggling people; they’re putting lives at risk by cramming more migrants into boats than ever before.
It’s alarming to think that more than 33,000 migrants have attempted this dangerous journey this year alone. That’s more than all of 2023, but still fewer than in 2022. Sadly, this year is now the deadliest since the surge in crossings began back in 2018.
Cooper pointed out that the gangs are getting cleverer, using social media to lure migrants into making these perilous trips. The plan is to enhance cooperation among countries to tackle the entire smuggling operation, from recruitment to the actual crossings.
They’re also focusing on disrupting the financial networks that support these criminal activities. The UK and Germany are stepping up their intelligence sharing to combat these gangs, which often store their boats in Germany before launching them from French beaches.
With the ongoing crisis in Syria, the UK has paused asylum decisions for Syrian nationals, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. Cooper is pushing for a comprehensive strategy to address the small boats crisis, aiming to dismantle the networks profiting from this human tragedy.