Tragedy prompts Channel vow

Britain and France were yesterday looking at new measures to limit migration across the Channel and break people-smuggling networks after at least 27 migrants trying to reach England drowned off the northern French coast.

The disaster is the deadliest accident since the Channel became a hub for migrants from the Africa, the Middle East and Asia who have been increasingly using small boats to reach England from France since 2018.

President Emmanuel Macron vowed France would not allow the Channel to become a "cemetery" and also spoke to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to agree on stepping up efforts to thwart the traffickers blamed for the surge in crossings.

Seventeen men, seven women and three minors died when the inflatable boat lost air and took on water off Calais on Wednesday. A manslaughter probe has been opened.

The disaster also poses a new challenge to cooperation between France and Britain after Brexit. Tensions had already been growing over the record numbers of people crossing, adding to problems that also include fishing rights.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said five suspected traffickers accused of being linked to the doomed crossing have been arrested. One is suspected of buying inflatable boats.

Darmanin said that only two survivors, an Iraqi and Somali, had been found and they were recovering from hypothermia.

Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart said a pregnant woman was also one of the victims.

British media reports said the UK government is keen to revive an idea for joint British-French patrols on the coast of northern France which has in the past been rejected by Paris.

French authorities say 31,500 people have attempted to leave for Britain this year and 7,800 people have been rescued at sea, figures which doubled since August.