“France will not allow the Channel to become a graveyard,” said President Emanuel Macron after the deaths of at least 31 migrants in the Channel, calling for “immediate reinforcement of Frontex’s means at the European Union ‘s external borders, according to the Elysee.
The French head of state also called for an “extraordinary meeting of the European ministers responsible for the immigration challenge and said that everything would be done to find and convict those responsible” for this drama.
For his part, French Interior Minister Geral Dermanen said four people had been arrested as suspected traffickers “directly linked” to the shipwreck that claimed the lives of 31 migrants.
“I want to say here that the first ones responsible for this shameful situation are the traffickers,” the minister added, speaking from Calais. He also called for an “internationally coordinated very tough response” to this “affecting us all” drama.
Dermanen said at least 31 people had been killed after their boat capsized in the English Channel. In total, 33 people were found at sea, 31 people went missing and 2 were rescued. He clarified that five women and a little girl are among the dead.
The French minister said “we must work with Britain to combat these traffickers.” He said he was in almost daily contact with the British authorities.
The answer after today’s incident must also come from Britain, Dermanen stressed.
“It is clearly the worst tragedy (with immigrants) we have seen,” he said.
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