Seven-year-old girl among 5 migrants killed trying to cross English Channel into UK

Five migrants, including a seven-year-old child, have died while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to the United Kingdom.

The English Channel is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France and is considered one of the busiest shipping routes in the world.

The most common small vessels detected making these types of crossings are rigid-hulled inflatable boats, dinghies, and kayaks.

The BBC reports that it witnessed people scrambling onto the overcrowded small boat on Tuesday as police officers made efforts to stop them.

The deaths occurred when the boat carrying 112 people set out to cross the water reportedly hit a sandbank not long after leaving the French shore.

Rescuers picked up 49 people, with four taken to hospital, but some 50 others stayed on the boat, determined to get to Britain.

The incident happened as the UK’s controversial Rwanda bill was passed after a tussle in parliament.

The law sets to see asylum seekers flown to the East African country to have their claims processed.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak who has been determined to cut down the amount of immigrants entering the UK has vowed that the Rwanda scheme will “deter vulnerable migrants from making perilous crossings”.

“There are reports of sadly yet more tragic deaths in the Channel this morning. I think that is just a reminder of why our plan is so important … it underscores why you need a deterrent very simply,” Sunak said in reaction to the deaths of the migrants.

In 2023, 29,437 people migrated to the UK through the Channel.

As of April 21, the Home Office said 6,265 people had crossed the English Channel in small boats since the start of 2024.