A 23-year-old Sudanese national has been arrested in connection with the tragic deaths of five migrants in the Channel. The man, who was arrested in Hayes, west London, is suspected of assisting illegal immigration and entering the UK illegally.
The arrest is the latest development in an investigation into the incident on April 23, in which a boat carrying 112 people experienced a crush on board, resulting in the deaths of three men, a woman, and a seven-year-old girl.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) has been leading the investigation, and the arrested man will be interviewed by investigators. Two individuals, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have already appeared in court charged with immigration offenses, while a third man remains on bail.
The incident occurred when the overcrowded boat, which had set off from France, encountered difficulties in the sea off Wimereux. French police witnessed people entering the water, and the Abeille Normandie patrol boat was deployed to rescue those in distress. Six people were taken aboard the patrol boat and received medical treatment, while 47 others were rescued by French authorities.
However, 55 people remained on board, reportedly declining to be rescued. They were among a larger group of migrants who later arrived in Dover.
The incident has highlighted the risks and dangers faced by migrants attempting to cross the Channel. The UK and French authorities have been working together to address the issue of small boats leaving France, with many migrants attempting to reach the UK in search of a better life.
The NCA has been working to disrupt the networks of people smugglers who profit from these dangerous crossings. The agency has urged anyone with information about the incident or others like it to come forward.
The investigation is ongoing, with over 50 people who were on board the boat having been interviewed so far. The authorities are working to piece together the events surrounding the tragedy and to bring those responsible to justice.
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