Channel Crossings: A Deadly Game of Cat and Mouse The latest incident in which a dinghy carrying 173 people capsized after its engine caught fire as it attempted to cross the Channel from France is a stark reminder of the human cost of this desperate endeavor.
This tragedy occurred just days after four people died on overcrowded boats trying to make the same crossing, highlighting the perilous nature of these clandestine journeys.
The French authorities' decision not to force migrants onto state rescue vessels, citing the "structural fragility" of the overcrowded boats, raises questions about the effectiveness of their response.