Indian man dies trying to cross English Channel

AN Indian man about 40 years old died on Sunday (27) in northern France after the inflated boat he and other migrants had boarded to cross the English Channel deflated, French authorities said in a statement.

On Sunday morning, a group of migrants launched their small boat off the town of Tardinghen, some 15 miles (25 kilometers) west of Calais.

The boat, which “appeared to be in very poor condition," deflated immediately after departure, according to the maritime prefecture that oversees French waters in the channel.

“Migrants ... returned to the beach swimming but not everyone was equipped with a life jacket," the statement added.

The man's death Sunday pushed this year's tally so far to 56.

The Indian man had a cardiac arrest. Police gave him a cardiac massage on the beach, the statement said, but could not resuscitate him. A inquiry has been opened.

This was just one of many attempts by migrants to cross the channel since weather improved last week. Local authorities registered 57 attempts since then, 32 of which were stopped by law enforcement.

“Since [last] Monday evening and the return of favourable weather conditions, the pressure has been intense on the coastline and many migrants are trying to take to the sea," said a statement from the Calais prefecture.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, remarked on the tragic and preventable loss of life in the Channel, noting the alarming regularity of such deaths.

He stressed the importance of resisting any desensitisation to these tragedies, reminding the public that those making these perilous journeys are desperate individuals—men, women, and children—fleeing terror, war, and oppression in search of safety.

A Home Office spokesperson reflected on the incident as a grim reminder of the indifference shown by people-smuggling gangs, who prioritise profit over human lives.

“We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice. Our new border security command will strengthen our global partnerships and enhance our efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute these evil criminals," the spokesperson told the Guardian.

This year, 29,642 people have crossed the Channel, slightly more than the 29,437 who did so by this time last year. It seems unlikely that 2024 will surpass the 2022 total of 45,755 arrivals by small boat. Last Saturday (26), as many as 64 people made the journey in a single boat.

The French coast around Calais has long been a jumping-off point for people fleeing conflict and poverty around the world seeking to reach Britain, often via dangerous and sometimes deadly sea journeys across one of the world's busiest shipping channels.

(with inputs from PTI)