Official inquiry rules 2021 English Channel migrant boat disaster preventable

2021 migrant boat – (Web Desk) – An independent public inquiry has concluded that the deaths of at least 30 migrants in the English Channel in November 2021 could have been prevented.

The report highlights serious systemic failures by the government. Sir Cranston, who authored the 454-page inquiry, found that the tragedy resulted from a combination of human trafficking, lack of action by French naval authorities, and failures within the UK Coastguard.

The incident took place on 24 November 2021 and remains the deadliest small-boat crossing on record.

In addition to the UK Coastguard fiasco, the inquiry also put blame on the French navy vessel Flamant, which was closest to the distress calls but failed to respond.

It is also attributed to the chronic staff shortages and defective decision-making within the UK’s Dover Coastguard centre.

Another belief that the immigrants were overstating their cries for help had created a general misunderstanding of the gravity of the situation.

Pakistan and Uzbekistan Sign 28 Agreements, Pledge Deeper Cooperation

The search was terminated early when morning arrived, but there was evidence that the victims had been alive for hours. Expert testimony stated that it was possible that victims had been alive until early afternoon.

The report quoted, “Some of the deaths were avoidable,” calling an end to small boat crossings.

The victims included a seven-year-old child and people coming from Iraq, Somalia, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Egypt.