Migrant deaths in the Channel: Boris Johnson calls on British police to patrol along the French coast after 27 killed in the Channel | UK news

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After 27 people were killed near Calais, the prime minister told France that British patrols along the French coast were necessary to prevent migrant boats from trying to cross the canal.

Among the victims were five women and a girl after their boat capsized in the water. It was later reported that one of the dead women was pregnant.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said two people were rescued and four smugglers arrested.

Boris Johnson introduces joint patrols as Macron calls for stronger European border force – live updates

Photo: 27 people were killed while crossing the canal on Wednesday Photo: Private ambulances arrived at the Calais warehouse on Wednesday evening

Boris Johnson spoke to Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday evening in the wake of the tragedy – the worst such incident in the Canal since the current migrant crisis began.

Immigration Compliance Minister Tom Borsglof confirmed Johnson had renewed an earlier offer to send officers from the British police and border forces to joint patrols with the French.

He said Wednesday’s death shows that the two countries need to deepen their cooperation when dealing with the issue.

“This is the issue that we have offered in the past to host and assist the joint patrols,” he told BBC 2 Newsnight on Wednesday.

“I think this could be invaluable in helping address this issue. I really hope the French will reconsider this offer.”

Downing Street said it had agreed to “keep all options on the table”.

Following the leaders’ phone call, a Downing Street spokesman said they “agreed on the urgency” to step up joint efforts to stop the smuggling gangs.

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2:08 Among the dead are five women and girls – French Interior Minister

The migrant crisis has become an increasingly tense topic for the United Kingdom and France.

After the Cobra emergency committee meeting, Johnson said it was clear the French leagues were “not enough”, despite the UK’s £54m support.

Conditions in the canal were cool but calm on Wednesday, which may explain why so many people were braved to cross into the UK.

Photo: Another group of migrants arrived at the port of Dover earlier on Wednesday

The deaths occurred after a “too fragile” rubber boat capsized, with fishermen reporting more than a dozen motionless bodies at sea. Private ambulances arrived at the Calais warehouse on Wednesday evening, where the identification of the victims is still ongoing.

Lille’s chief prosecutor, Carole Etienne, whose office is overseeing the investigation, said the investigation could involve several countries as more information about the passengers emerges.

Darmanin described the boat as “like a puddle that you blow into your garden.”

The Strait of Dover is the world’s busiest shipping lane and more than 25,700 people have completed the perilous journey to the UK this year.

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This is three times the total for 2020, according to data compiled by the Palestinian Authority News Agency.

Meanwhile, more than 47,000 attempted crossings have taken place, and 7,800 migrants have been rescued from the waters since January 1, 2021, according to the French president.

“France will not let the canal become a cemetery,” Macron said.

He called for an emergency meeting of European ministers and an “immediate reinforcement” of the EU border agency Frontex.

He also said France had been working with the UK for “several months” of fighting people smugglers and that 1,552 people had been arrested.

Photo: Police officers stand by the firefighting headquarters as they arrive at Calais port

Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, urged the government to rethink its approach to migration.

“A tragedy of this magnitude is surely the wake-up call that our government needs to change its approach and finally commit to expanding safe avenues to these men, women and children who need protection most,” he said.

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