A SUDANESE man has been arrested after four migrants died trying to cross the English Channel.
off the coast of northern on Thursday after being swept away by strong currents trying to board a dinghy.
Four people died on Thursday attempting to cross the English ChannelCredit: AFP
A 27-year-old Sudanese man has now been arrested on suspicion of endangering lifeCredit: AFP
A 27-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of endangering life, the National Crime Agency said.
He was arrested on Friday morning following the deaths of four people whose identities have not yet been released.
In a statement on Friday, the NCA said 38 people were returned to the French shore but 74 illegal migrants sailed on to the .
The suspect was arrested at Manston processing centre in on suspicion of “endangering another during a journey by sea to the UK”.
He is in custody and is being interviewed by NCA officers, who are also speaking to those who made the journey.
There is also an investigation led by French prosecutors into the circumstances that led to the launch of the boat – they are being assisted by the NCA.
Craig Turner, its deputy director, said: “Working with colleagues at home and abroad, we are determined to do all we can to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these four tragic deaths.”
Mike Tapp, the migration minister, added: “Every death in the Channel is a tragedy.
“Our experienced law enforcement teams will continue working relentlessly with international partners to prevent these perilous journeys and bring those responsible to justice.
“Through our Border Security Act, officers now have stronger powers to act earlier and disrupt, intercept and take down the operations of criminal smuggling gangs who bring illegal migrants to our shores.”
Francois-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-, told reporters on Thursday that a small boat organised by people smugglers arrived on Équihen beach soon after 7am.
It had travelled up to the coast via a local canal, and aimed to pick up dozens of UK-bound migrants.
“We sadly have to report four deaths this morning,” Launch said at the time.
“The people who died were attempting to board a taxi-boat.
“I have to commend the actions of our officers and firefighters who, as you know, are deployed every day to stop these crossings.”
Speaking of the four people who died, he said: “They were already quite far into the sea.
“The currents, which can be dangerous here, swept them away.”
The National Crime Agency said 38 people were returned to France while 74 sailed on to the UKCredit: AFP
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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