The mayor of Calais, Natacha Bouchart, has called for a decisive confrontation between France and Britain to address the ongoing Channel migrant crisis. This demand comes in the wake of a tragic incident that occurred two days ago, on September 3, 2024, resulting in the loss of at least 12 lives.
Bouchart accused the UK of hypocrisy, stating that illegal migrants are drawn to Britain due to its perceived lax approach to undocumented labor. She emphasized the need for a "showdown" with the British government to prevent the situation from persisting for decades to come.
"We're suffering from this hypocrisy. At some point, we're going to have to have a showdown with this government to avoid in fifty years' time (being) still at the same level, with people wanting to go to England because it continues to be an El Dorado."
The recent tragedy has highlighted the dangers of Channel crossings. Of the 65 people on board the ill-fated dinghy, only eight were wearing lifejackets. The victims included ten women, one of whom was pregnant, and six minors. Most are believed to be from Eritrea.
French officials have echoed Bouchart's sentiments. Didier Leschi, Director of the French Office of Immigration and Integration, pointed out that the UK's internal system appears to be an "El Dorado" due to the ease of working without proper documentation. This perception, whether accurate or not, continues to attract migrants.
The English Channel, known as the busiest shipping area in the world, has seen a significant increase in migrant crossings since 2018. The shortest distance across the Channel is just 33 kilometers, making it an attractive route for those seeking to reach the UK. However, the Channel's rapidly changing weather conditions make these crossings extremely perilous.
Jean-Luc Dubaële, mayor of Wimereux, a French coastal town, called for urgent action from both French and British officials. He emphasized the need to address the root causes attracting migrants to the UK and suggested exploring options for asylum claims in France.
The UK government, through the Prime Minister's spokesman, expressed deep concern over the recent deaths and reiterated their commitment to working with European partners to combat people smuggling. However, they maintained that the UK has no plans to join an EU scheme on asylum.
A manslaughter investigation has been launched into the recent tragedy. Judicial police, supported by gendarmes, are actively searching for the smugglers responsible for providing the faulty dinghy. It's estimated that each migrant paid around £1000 for a place on the 26-foot-long boat.
The incident marks a grim milestone in the ongoing crisis. As of September 5, 2024, at least 37 people have died in Channel crossings this year, a significant increase from the 12 deaths recorded in the entire year of 2023. The worst previous incident occurred in November 2021, when 27 people lost their lives.
The crisis has evolved since the first dinghy crossings began in 2018. People smugglers are now cramming more migrants into each boat, with an average of 60 people per vessel, triple the initial rate. This increase is partly due to crackdowns by border agencies and law enforcement limiting the supply of boats and equipment.
As the situation continues to escalate, the need for a comprehensive and collaborative approach between France and the UK becomes increasingly urgent. The tragic loss of life in the Channel serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of this ongoing crisis.