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Sunak says deaths show the need for Rwanda plan

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date24 April 2024
Publication titleJournal, The
The tragedy off the coast of northern France came just hours after Parliament passed legislation aimed at putting the Rwanda asylum scheme into effect

The Prime Minister said criminal gangs were exploiting the vulnerable and "packing more and more people into these unseaworthy dinghies".

At about 6am yesterday a dinghy carrying more than 100 people set off from Wimereux and got into difficulties. Three men, a woman and a girl were killed, according to the French coastguard. Another 49 people were rescued but 58 others refused to leave the boat and continued their journey towards the UK, the coastguard said in a statement, adding that several other boats later embarked on the crossing.

The National Crime Agency said it would be supporting the French investigation into the deaths with UK police and Border Force.

During a flight to Poland, Mr Sunak told reporters the incident "underscores why you need a deterrent".

He said: "We want to prevent people making these very dangerous crossings. If you look at what's happening, criminal gangs are exploiting vulnerable people. They are packing more and more people into these unseaworthy dinghies.

"We've seen an enormous increase in the numbers per boat over the past few years.

"This is what tragically happens when they push people out to sea and that's why, for matters of compassion more than anything else, we must actually break this business model and end this unfairness of people coming to our country illegally."

The incident at Wimereux occurred around four...

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