Channel crossings: 509 people made journey on day six died in boat sinking

A total of 509 people crossed the English Channel in 10 boats on the day six died when a boat carrying migrants sank off the coast of France on Saturday.

The latest British home office figures take the provisional total for the past three days alone to more than 1,600, with more than 16,600 people having made the journey so far this year.

They mark a further setback for the British government’s “stop the boats” pledge, which is one of prime minister Rishi Sunak’s five key priorities for his leadership.

More than 100,000 people have now made the journey since 2018, according to home office figures.

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At least six people died and at least 58 – many of them Afghans – were rescued after a boat got into difficulty of the coast of Sangatte on Saturday.

According to the accounts of survivors, about 65 people had originally boarded the overloaded vessel before a passing ship saw it sinking and raised the alarm at about 4.20am.

The British government is under renewed pressure to tackle the crisis of migrant crossings following the incident.

MPs have called for action against criminal people-smuggling gangs profiting from the journeys while campaigners have described the deaths as an “appalling and preventable tragedy”.

Writing in the Sunday Express, Conservative backbencher and former party chairman Jake Berry said: “We must put a stop to the vile people smugglers who trade in human misery and whose actions result in the loss of life.”

Care4Calais said the incident was an “appalling and preventable tragedy”, while the Refugee Council warned “more people will die” unless more safe routes to the UK are created.

[ UK’s illegal migration bill ‘sets a worrying precedent’, UN warns ]

Home secretary Suella Braverman described the incident as a “tragic loss of life” and said she had chaired a meeting with border force officials later on Saturday.

It comes after the British government was accused of allowing its “small boats week” of linked announcements on immigration to descend into farce following the removal of dozens of asylum seekers from the Bibby Stockholm barge.

Senior conservative backbencher David Davis said the “startling incompetence” of the home office had been laid bare after all 39 people on board the 500-capacity vessel were disembarked due to the discovery of legionella bacteria in the water supply.

However, ministers intend to push on with plans to hire more barges to house asylum seekers, as well as student halls and former office blocks, The Telegraph reported.

The people who had been on the Bibby Stockholm, which had been billed as a cheaper alternative to expensive hotels for those awaiting the outcome of their claims, are now back being housed in other accommodation.

The home office has said the health and welfare of asylum seekers “remains of the utmost priority” and that the evacuation took place as a precautionary measure, with all protocol and advice followed.

[ The Irish Times view on the UK’s latest plan to house refugees: just another sticking plaster ]

Conservative MP Tim Loughton said part of the problem lies with France, calling on the country’s authorities to intervene.

“Without the French actually intercepting and detaining those boats, then we have a problem stopping that,” Mr Loughton said. – PA