MOGADISHU, (HAN) – Tragedy struck again in the perilous waters of the English Channel, as three Somali migrants lost their lives last week while attempting to cross from France to the United Kingdom in small boats, according to reports.
On Monday, a large black vessel carrying dozens of migrants departed from the coast near Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, in northwestern France. French authorities confirmed that two patrol boats escorted the overloaded vessel as part of efforts to monitor the dangerous journey, which has become a frequent route for irregular migrants.
Despite repeated warnings about the risks, the number of migrants—many of them Somalis—making the treacherous attempt continues to rise. Human rights groups say worsening security conditions and lack of opportunities in their home countries are pushing people to take life-threatening risks in search of safety and a better future in the UK.
French maritime officials reported that rescue operations were launched after distress signals were received, but three lives were lost before help could arrive. Survivors were brought back to shore, where they received medical attention and were placed under the care of local authorities.
The incident highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Channel, which has claimed hundreds of lives in recent years. International organizations have called for stronger cooperation between France, the UK, and countries of origin, urging the creation of safer legal migration pathways to prevent further loss of life.
Authorities in both France and Britain have pledged to intensify patrols and crack down on human smuggling networks, though critics argue that without addressing the root causes of migration—such as conflict, poverty, and repression—the dangerous crossings will persist.
