Capsizing of a Boat in the English Channel Claims at Least Eight More Migrants' Lives

At least eight people were killed due to the capsizing of a boat carrying a group of illegal migrants in the English Channel. This incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 16. The migrants were attempting to cross from France to the UK by boat. Less than two weeks ago, on September 4, twelve people, including six children and a pregnant woman, lost their lives in a similar incident, which is considered the deadliest of its kind in 2024. According to maritime officials and coast guards from France and the UK, in recent days, the attempts of illegal migrants to cross these cold and dangerous waters have intensified, with 200 migrants rescued from small boats in just the 24 hours leading up to Saturday. The British and French governments have been trying for years to curb the wave of migrants who pay thousands of euros to smugglers in an attempt to reach the UK via the English Channel. In this context, London has repeatedly accused Paris of inaction and overlooking these illegal activities, an accusation that Paris denies. According to British officials, since the beginning of this year, about nine months ago, more than 22,000 illegal migrants have reached the UK through this route. Statistics from the UK Home Office indicate that many of these migrants are citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.