Gransnet forums

News & politics

Capsized boat in the channel - 30 to 50 on board

(92 Posts)
GagaJo Wed 14-Dec-22 09:53:57

I can't imagine the horror of this. Poor, poor people.

People are reported to have died after a small migrant boat capsized in the English Channel off the coast of Kent, near Dungeness.

A major search and rescue operation is ongoing, and between 30 to 50 people are said to have been on board the vessel when it ran into difficulties, according to a French source.

Searches will continue all day, but at this stage many are feared dead given the freezing conditions of the water, a separate source has told Sky News.

uk.yahoo.com/news/rescue-under-way-english-channel-080600581.html

HurdyGurdy Wed 14-Dec-22 09:58:17

Oh that just doesn't bear thinking about.

I hope they can all be rescued, but as you say, in these freezing conditions, it doesn't seem likely.

Casdon Wed 14-Dec-22 09:59:26

Terrible tragedy.

Charleygirl5 Wed 14-Dec-22 10:04:16

They would only survive minutes in these freezing temperatures. It does not bear thinking about.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 14-Dec-22 10:04:57

Have any been rescued?

My goodness what a wretched end to a wretched life.

One would hope that mankind could muster up the kindness to help these poor souls.

25Avalon Wed 14-Dec-22 10:14:13

This is why this migration by small boats needs to be stopped. Not only are these migrants risking their lives in freezing cold waters but now local people can’t access A&E either. Emergency services are searching in awful conditions. There has to be a better way. We either stop it completely like Australia or we have a better system in place for migrants to legally apply. The traffickers who organise the boats have blood on their hands.

growstuff Wed 14-Dec-22 10:15:25

I wouldn't worry too much about A & E. I doubt if many have survived. angry

GagaJo Wed 14-Dec-22 10:17:37

growstuff

I wouldn't worry too much about A & E. I doubt if many have survived. angry

I assume all dead.

Casdon Wed 14-Dec-22 10:17:43

According to Sky News
A member of the rescue team has confirmed that at least three people have died. 43 people have been rescued alive and have been taken to

Casdon Wed 14-Dec-22 10:17:58

Hospital

Whitewavemark2 Wed 14-Dec-22 10:24:12

25Avalon

This is why this migration by small boats needs to be stopped. Not only are these migrants risking their lives in freezing cold waters but now local people can’t access A&E either. Emergency services are searching in awful conditions. There has to be a better way. We either stop it completely like Australia or we have a better system in place for migrants to legally apply. The traffickers who organise the boats have blood on their hands.

They need easy and identifiable routes.

They need to be able to check in to a centre at the French coast and then be taken to the U.K. by Ferry where their application for asylum is dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Once identified as a refugee they can then work and help fill all the vacant posts.

Those minority who are not deemed to be refugees should be sent back to their own country asap.

Simple - but not apparently for this government who appears to be unable to organise a piss-up in a brewery.

25Avalon Wed 14-Dec-22 10:24:31

Also according to LBC Casdon so not quite right Growstuff and GagaJo that all are dead but they are in a bad way in hospital.In November 2021 27 perished yet it still goes on.

growstuff Wed 14-Dec-22 10:25:21

Casdon

Hospital

I stand corrected. Good news!

Whitewavemark2 Wed 14-Dec-22 10:25:44

Casdon

Hospital

Thank goodness for the rescue teams - well done!

I shall send my Christmas contribution to the RNLI asap.

25Avalon Wed 14-Dec-22 10:28:22

Strictly speaking they are not refugees as they are coming from a safe place ie France.

MaizieD Wed 14-Dec-22 10:28:46

25Avalon

This is why this migration by small boats needs to be stopped. Not only are these migrants risking their lives in freezing cold waters but now local people can’t access A&E either. Emergency services are searching in awful conditions. There has to be a better way. We either stop it completely like Australia or we have a better system in place for migrants to legally apply. The traffickers who organise the boats have blood on their hands.

All we need to do is to stop demonising these poor people, provide a safe route and process their asylum applications promptly and effectively once they get here. Tories are playing with these people's lives by using them as a political strategy.

We will never stop them trying to get here.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 14-Dec-22 10:30:01

25Avalon

Strictly speaking they are not refugees as they are coming from a safe place ie France.

You need to look at the law.

Wheniwasyourage Wed 14-Dec-22 10:30:57

Whitewavemark2

25Avalon

This is why this migration by small boats needs to be stopped. Not only are these migrants risking their lives in freezing cold waters but now local people can’t access A&E either. Emergency services are searching in awful conditions. There has to be a better way. We either stop it completely like Australia or we have a better system in place for migrants to legally apply. The traffickers who organise the boats have blood on their hands.

They need easy and identifiable routes.

They need to be able to check in to a centre at the French coast and then be taken to the U.K. by Ferry where their application for asylum is dealt with quickly and efficiently.

Once identified as a refugee they can then work and help fill all the vacant posts.

Those minority who are not deemed to be refugees should be sent back to their own country asap.

Simple - but not apparently for this government who appears to be unable to organise a piss-up in a brewery.

What Whitewavemark said. Absolutely agree.

25Avalon Wed 14-Dec-22 10:32:09

It’s the UK Coastguard carrying out the rescue as well as the RNLI along with some assistance by the French. All are doing their best.

GagaJo Wed 14-Dec-22 10:32:14

Of course they won't stop. We would migrate if we lived in the conditions they live in. With climate change this is going to happen more and more. Just trying to stop them is futile.

I'm so glad they haven't all perished.

MaizieD Wed 14-Dec-22 10:32:22

25Avalon

Strictly speaking they are not refugees as they are coming from a safe place ie France.

I'm afraid that that is not in accordance with International law on refugees, as has been pointed out many times before on similar threads on this topic. It only applied under the Dublin Agreement when we were members of the EU. We are no longer party to it since Brexit.

Whitewavemark2 Wed 14-Dec-22 10:33:51

25Avalon

It’s the UK Coastguard carrying out the rescue as well as the RNLI along with some assistance by the French. All are doing their best.

I know, but the RNLI are the only British charity carrying out the rescue mission. So I can therefore show my appreciation.

growstuff Wed 14-Dec-22 10:33:53

25Avalon

Strictly speaking they are not refugees as they are coming from a safe place ie France.

How do you work that one out?

growstuff Wed 14-Dec-22 10:36:07

In order to help fight traffickers, the National Crime Agency has had its budget increased, which is great because its funding has been halved since 2010.

MaizieD Wed 14-Dec-22 10:41:38

growstuff

In order to help fight traffickers, the National Crime Agency has had its budget increased, which is great because its funding has been halved since 2010.

That really seems like throwing money in the wrong direction. Spending it on providing a safe route and more effective processing would stop most of the traffickers.