Migrants drown in Channel hours after U.K. passes Rwanda bill
Five individuals, including a child, tragically lost their lives in an incident while attempting to cross the English Channel from France. The accident occurred shortly after the United Kingdom passed legislation aimed at deterring such hazardous voyages by deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda. The vessel involved in the mishap was severely overcrowded, with about 110 people on board, navigating one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Local authorities reported that the tragic incident unfolded when the boat's engine failed just a few hundred meters from the shore, causing several passengers to fall into the water. The Maritime Prefect promptly dispatched the patrol boat Abbe Norbindi, and upon arrival, the French Navy discovered several unconscious individuals struggling on the overcrowded boat. This event took place within the context of the British government's enhanced measures to curb migration across the English Channel. The newly passed bill allows for the deportation of asylum seekers to Rwanda, a move that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's administration argues is necessary to stop people smugglers from endangering lives. Despite facing legal challenges and criticism from human rights groups for being inhumane, Sunak insists that the policy is driven by compassion to save lives by deterring dangerous journeys. The legislation has been contentious, with its opponents arguing that it risks violating human rights by potentially sending migrants back to countries where they could face persecution or mistreatment. Britain's Supreme Court previously blocked an initial deportation flight to Rwanda, citing concerns over the legality of the scheme. Meanwhile, the influx of over 6,000 asylum seekers into Britain this year, many fleeing conflict and poverty, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by individuals seeking safety and the countries trying to manage their arrival.