Four members of a Kurdish-Iranian family who died in the English Channel in a migrant boat tragedy yesterday have been named.
It was established by the BBC that the four people who died when a migrant boat sank off the coast of France were Rasoul Iran-Nejad, 35, Shiva Mohammad Panahi, 35, Anita, nine, and Armin, six. Their 15-month-old boy, Artin remains missing.
Family who died after boat sank in English Channel were Kurdish-Iranian, their 15-month-old baby is still missing https://t.co/alv9Rcs06p
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) October 28, 2020
A further fifteen people have been taken to hospitals in Calais and Dunkirk following the incident and an investigation into the incident has been launched.
The family were reportedly from the city of Sardasht in western Iran, near the border with Iraq. Sardasht is in the Kurdistan region, an area that also covers Turkey, Syria and Iraq.
The alarm was initially raised by a yacht which notified search and rescue, prompting French patrol boats, a Belgian helicopter and a fishing boat dispatching.
The people on board are thought to have been trying to cross the Channel to reach the UK, despite high winds of up to 18mph.
Campaigners for migrant safety are warning that the tragic loss of life should serve as a "wake up call" for UK and French leaders.
Clare Moseley, who founded the refugee crisis charity Care4Calais, has said a way must be found to put an end to "terrifying, dangerous sea crossings."
Read our full response to today's tragic news that at least three people, including a young child, are feared dead after a boat carrying 20 refugees capsized in the English Channel.https://t.co/lW0FuXOMoA
— Care4Calais (@Care4Calais) October 27, 2020
It is believed to be the single biggest loss of life during the current migrant crisis, and brings the total number of deaths since 2018 to 10.
Ms Moseley said: “We are grieving for the victims, we stand in sympathy and solidarity with their families and friends.
“It is cruel and horrifying that, this time, young children are among the victims.
She added: “We have to provide a safe and legal process by which refugees can have their UK asylum claims heard, that’s the way to put an end to terrifying, dangerous sea crossings and stop tragedy striking again.”
Charity Save the Children has also urged French and UK leaders to treat the news as a "wake-up call".
A spokesperson for the charity said: “Today’s tragic news must be a wake-up call for both London and Paris to come up with a joint plan that ensures the safety of vulnerable children and families.
“The English Channel must not become a graveyard for children.”
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday that the UK had offered "every support" to French authorities in their investigation of the "terrible incident".
My statement on those who tragically lost their lives in the Channel today. pic.twitter.com/W7zT5NKINr
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 27, 2020
He said: "My thoughts are with the loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives in the Channel today. We have offered the French authorities every support as they investigate this terrible incident and will do all we can to crack down on the ruthless criminal gangs who prey on vulnerable people by facilitating these dangerous journeys."
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