Four dead, including two children, attempting to cross Channel to UK in last 24 hours

"On Tuesday night off the coast of Sangatte, France, three people lost their lives while travelling on a dinghy with 38 people on board. Three others are missing after an incident in Neufchatel-Hardelot, France, on a boat with 115 people on board. On Tuesday afternoon a woman was confirmed dead after a rescue attempt on the UK side of the Channel. The woman was airlifted to Dover but her life could not be saved."

"These crossings are becoming deadlier in large part due to increased policing on the French side and a lack of safe routes to the UK. People trying to cross are now hiding their lifejackets in bin bags or under blankets to avoid being targeted by the French police. Responsibility for these deaths lies squarely with the UK and French governments."

Four people, including two children, died in two separate incidents while attempting to cross the Channel to the UK within 24 hours. Three others are missing after a third incident. One dinghy off Sangatte carried 38 people and resulted in three deaths. A separate boat near Neufchatel-Hardelot with 115 people left three missing. A woman died after a rescue attempt on the UK side and was airlifted to Dover. French authorities report high numbers of crossings along the Boulogne coast, including 1,097 people in 17 boats on Sunday. Smugglers, policing practices, and limited safe routes are all cited as factors.

Read at www.theguardian.com