A survivor of a tragic migrant boat incident has recounted how his son and seven others were killed after being trampled in a densely packed vessel shortly after departure.
Kameran Mohammad shared with reporters that his son, Dyari, was among the fatalities in Sunday’s disaster in the Channel. The boat, heavily overcrowded, led to a fatal crush just minutes into the journey.
A 10-month-old baby, suffering from hypothermia, was among those taken to the hospital, alongside five other survivors. A total of 51 people were rescued from the scene.
Mohammad explained that the boat, boarded at night, quickly became overcrowded. “Within five minutes of boarding, we were already at the feet of other passengers,” he said. The situation worsened as they continued, with water accumulating in the boat, possibly from waves or a leak.
The boat, carrying a mix of nationalities including Kurds, Vietnamese, East Africans, Afghans, and Persians, faced dire conditions. Mohammad described the harrowing experience, noting that the boat’s occupants were unable to move due to the crush, and his son’s screams were drowned out by the chaos. “The eight who died were trampled rather than drowned,” he added.
Following the crush, the boat attempted to return to France but was severely damaged by rocks off Ambleteuse in the Pas-de-Calais region. Authorities reported that only one in six passengers had a life jacket. Mohammad was unconscious and revived by having water poured on his face. He later identified his son among the deceased.
The wreckage included what appeared to be children’s inflatable rings, but French authorities have not yet determined the precise cause of death.
Mohammad estimated there were about 90 people on board, with his group of 24 including four Kurds. He also encountered another survivor who mentioned a separate group of 68, suggesting a significantly overloaded boat.
This tragedy follows another recent disaster in the Channel that resulted in the deaths of at least 12 individuals, including 10 women and girls. On the previous Saturday, 801 migrants arrived in the UK in 14 boats, marking the second-highest number of arrivals this year. French authorities also rescued approximately 200 people off the Calais coast during a 24-hour period.
So far this year, at least 45 people have died in Channel crossings. Government figures show that more than 21,000 people arrived in the UK by small boats between January and September.
In response to the ongoing migrant crisis, Labour has pledged to focus on disrupting the criminal networks behind these operations. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is meeting with Italian counterparts to enhance cooperation against people smuggling. Italy has seen a 60% reduction in illegal Mediterranean migration over the past year and recently signed a contentious deal with Albania.
