Migrants will continue to die in Channel unless EU allows France to seize unsafe dinghies, says Robert Jenrick

MIGRANTS will continue to die in the English Channel unless the EU allows France to seize unsafe dinghies, Robert Jenrick has said.

The former immigration minister said it was “another intolerable tragedy” that five people died while attempting to reach the UK in the early hours of today.

Jeff Overs / BBC

A child, a woman and three men were killed trying to cross from France.

They had been crossing from an area near the town of Wimereux, local newspaper La Voix du Nord said.

Authorities say they discovered several “lifeless bodies” on what one official called a “busy” morning for crossings, with several attempts reported.

An emergency operation was launched by the French coastguard and by 11am at least five people were reported drowned off the coast at Boulogne sur Mer.

But Tory MP Mr Jenrick blamed the European Union for not allowing member states to use health and safety laws to seize small boats before they set off.

Mr Jenrick called it a scandal that “death traps” were being allowed to travel uninterrupted.

He wrote on X: “EU must finally grant member states legal cover to seize these unseaworthy boats that are costing precious lives.

“The EU talk about ‘intensifying the fight against people smugglers’ but their actions never match their rhetoric.

“We have strong intelligence. The issue is their legal framework that prevents seizures.

“Tragically, there will be more preventable deaths until the EU changes.”