In the deadliest incident of the current crisis, dozens, including a young girl, drown in an inflatable dinghy while attempting to reach the UK.

A tragic incident in the English Channel has resulted in the deaths of at least 27 people, including five women and a young girl, after an inflatable dinghy sank while attempting to cross from France to the UK. The boat, described by officials as being “very frail,” was compared to a garden pool toy, highlighting the perilous nature of such crossings. The boat had been carrying 34 individuals, and two survivors were found in critical condition and are now in intensive care.

The International Organisation for Migration has confirmed that this represents the largest single loss of life in the Channel since it began tracking such incidents in 2014. In response, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his horror at the tragedy, condemning people-trafficking gangs for their role in the deaths. He also criticized the French approach to managing these dangerous crossings. French President Emmanuel Macron, however, urged the UK to avoid using the tragedy for political gain and emphasized the need for cooperative efforts to address the crisis.

Authorities have arrested four individuals suspected of being involved in the trafficking operation, while efforts continue to locate the remaining missing person.