A tragic incident occurred in the English Channel this morning as a child migrant lost their life after falling off a small boat. The child was among 48 migrants on a crowded dinghy, with the rest being rescued. The boat proceeded to England with around 50 individuals on board.

The body of the child was discovered on Écault beach, near Boulogne-sur-Mer, as confirmed by Cécile Gressier, the prosecutor. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the death. This fatality follows the recent deaths of two Somali women in a similar manner.

To date, at least 21 individuals have died in 2024 attempting to travel from France to Britain on small boats. The prosecution in Boulogne has initiated a criminal inquiry into the weekend deaths to apprehend the human traffickers behind these perilous journeys.

Earlier this month, three individuals, including children, perished on the same route, either suffocating on the overcrowded vessel or drowning at sea. The total number of migrant deaths in 2024 trying to reach England this way stands at 78, a record since the practice began in 2018.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has vowed to escalate efforts against the criminal networks profiting from these deadly crossings. Despite promises by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron to enhance cooperation in combating smugglers, criticism persists over the efficacy of their strategies.

Both leaders hope that their proposed ‘one-in-one-out’ approach will dissuade potential asylum seekers by swiftly returning them. However, over 32,000 people have made the journey this year, indicating ongoing challenges in curbing illegal crossings despite these measures.