CAMPAIGNERS blasted Westminster’s “unworkable” plans to end the Channel boats crisis after five migrants died in French waters today.
The Refugee Council called for “decisive action” to end the “preventable” tragedies while Care4Calais called for safe routes to Britain to be established.
Charities said the deaths should be a “wake-up call” for the Tories as they returned to infighting over their widely condemned Rwanda deportation policy, which faces a crunch vote in the Commons tomorrow.
French maritime authorities said five people had been confirmed dead after a major emergency response was launched in the attempt to cross the English Channel near Wimereux at around 2am.
They said rescue teams discovered six people unconscious in the water and two others in a state of emergency.
One was rushed to hospital and another received treatment at the scene for severe hypothermia while 32 other people were rescued and taken to Calais.
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said the “heartbreaking” deaths showed “we’ve got to stop the boats,” arguing that the solution is forcibly removing unauthorised arrivals to Rwanda.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer described the incident as a “tragic loss of life” and said that he “absolutely” agrees that the “dangerous” boat crossings needed to stop.
“Now, I think the starting place for that is to go after the criminal gangs that are running this vile trade,” he added.
Refugee Council chief Enver Solomon said: “With no meaningful commitment from the government to expand safe routes for refugees, it’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes again.
“This must act as a wake-up call to take decisive action and reduce dangerous Channel crossings by providing safe routes for those fleeing war-torn countries or repressive regimes.”
Care4Calais chief executive Steven Smith said the introduction of a system of safe passage so no-one is forced to risk their lives crossing the Channel to claim asylum in Britain ”would end the tragic loss of life in our waters and save lives.”
Freedom from Torture chief Sonya Sceats urgently called for an “asylum system that’s welcoming, fair and compassionate at its heart.”
The leaders of three groups on the Tory right meanwhile warned Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that they could vote against his Rwanda Bill if he does not bow to their demands to toughen the legislation.
