Five migrants, including a seven-year-old, died during an attempt to cross the English Channel from France in an overcrowded small boat, just hours after the U.K. passed a bill to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

London

In a tragic incident that underscores the perilous nature of migrant crossings, five migrants, including a seven-year-old girl, lost their lives during an attempt to traverse the English Channel in an overcrowded small boat. The incident occurred shortly after the United Kingdom enacted legislation aimed at deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda. 

The ill-fated journey began off the coast of France, where more than 112 migrants were seen preparing to embark in a chaotic scene, according to a BBC report. The inflatable boat, severely overloaded, managed to travel only a few hundred metres off the coast before encountering difficulties. A group of migrants fell into the water in the process, resulting in five fatalities. 

While dozens of individuals were rescued, nearly 60 others persevered in their attempt to reach England. This year alone has seen over 6,000 asylum seekers arrive on the UK coast, a number that continues to grow alongside the death toll in the English Channel. The UK government has responded to this crisis by proposing a controversial plan to deport illegal immigrants arriving in the UK to Rwanda, as a deterrent. 

The deportation plan, which involves a financial agreement with Rwanda, has sparked considerable debate and opposition. The United Nations' human rights office has criticized the plan, warning that it threatens the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent. Despite the contentious nature of the policy and opposition from various advocacy groups, the UK government has pushed forward, securing flights to Rwanda and expressing determination to alter the current system.

This policy was ratified following a late-night session in a divided parliament. Critics continue to challenge the plan's ethics and effectiveness, while some international observers have expressed interest in potentially adopting similar measures.



Five migrants die en route to U.K. as deportation bill passes

More than a hundred, I'd say, migrants. The chaotic turbulent moments before an inflatable boat crammed with 112 migrants was launched off the coast of France. They're letting off firecrackers. A BBC crew reported as smugglers waved sticks and police stayed back. The overloaded boat set off but came to a stop a few hundred metres off the coast. The migrants who did get onto that boat are in trouble. A group fell into the water. Five died including a seven-year-old girl. Dozens were rescued but nearly 60 others continued on towards England. Since the start of the year more than 6,000 asylum seekers have arrived on the coast. Obviously the death toll continues to rise in the Channel. The deterrents aren't working. Now the UK government insists it has a plan that will by deporting illegal immigrants who arrive in the UK to Rwanda. It struck a deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars. In return the East African country will allow migrants to try and claim asylum there. The government vows the planes will start taking off this summer. And there's nothing compassionate about allowing the current system to continue. That's what I believe and that's why I'm determined to do everything I can to stop the boats. After a late night session a divided parliament approved the contentious plan. We will continue to argue that we don't think it's the right approach. The UN human rights office says the plan seriously hinders the rule of law and sets a perilous precedent. We have heard some noises from other countries that they're watching this and that they might intend to follow it. The government says it has already secured the flights to go to Rwanda but some advocacy groups say they'll continue to try to fight this plan including by putting public pressure on any airlines involved. Briar Stewart, CBC News, London.

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