New Times,
New Thinking.

  1. Chart of the Day
25 November 2021

Where are the people attempting to cross the Channel coming from?

At least 167 migrants have died or gone missing on the English Channel route since 2014, not counting those who drowned on 24 November.

By Nicu Calcea

More than half of the migrants crossing the English Channel come from Iran, official figures show. 

Some 2,362 people detected crossing the Channel in small boats between January 2018 and June 2020 were Iranian nationals, followed by 1,211 Iraqis and 282 Syrian nationals. 

At least 167 migrants have died or gone missing on the English Channel route since 2014, according to data from the Missing Migrants Project

These figures don’t include the 27 people that drowned off the English coast on Wednesday (24 November). While the identities of the dead are yet to be confirmed, many of them seem to be Kurds from Iraq and Iran

Select and enter your email address Your weekly guide to the best writing on ideas, politics, books and culture every Saturday. The best way to sign up for The Saturday Read is via saturdayread.substack.com The New Statesman's quick and essential guide to the news and politics of the day. The best way to sign up for Morning Call is via morningcall.substack.com
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
THANK YOU

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson took to Twitter to accuse smugglers of the tragedy. “This disaster underscores how dangerous it is to cross the Channel this way,” he said in a message on Twitter

“It’s important that we accelerate all the measures in our Borders and Nationalities Bill so that we can distinguish between people who come here legally and people who come here illegally,” he added. 

Some organisations, however, have placed the blame on the British government. 

“We must remember that dangerous journeys take place because​ the government provides no safe alternative for people to exercise their right to seek asylum here,” said Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director.

Content from our partners
Consulting is at the forefront of UK growth
Can green energy solutions deliver for nature and people?
"Why wouldn't you?" Joining the charge towards net zero

Topics in this article :