{"id":135072,"date":"2023-12-16T08:30:03","date_gmt":"2023-12-16T08:30:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/?p=135072"},"modified":"2023-12-16T08:30:03","modified_gmt":"2023-12-16T08:30:03","slug":"every-boat-stopped-is-a-potential-life-saved-says-james-cleverly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fin2me.com\/politics\/every-boat-stopped-is-a-potential-life-saved-says-james-cleverly\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Every boat stopped is a potential life saved\u2019 says James Cleverly"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

One woman drowned and another migrant was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after a dinghy carrying 66 \u00adpeople deflated at around 1am local time yesterday.<\/p>\n

Hours later another migrant died as a boat packed with 80 people sank near Sangatte on the northern coast of France.<\/p>\n

French emergency crews treated children suffering from hypothermia.<\/p>\n

Rescuers performed CPR on a man in his mid-20s who was \u00adsubmerged and had gone into cardiac arrest, before taking him to hospital. He died later.<\/p>\n

The clothes of some migrants were reportedly soaked in petrol leaking from jerrycans.<\/p>\n

A source said: \u201cThe boat was sinking just after 7.30am, while it was still dark.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was chaos when riot police arrived, and tear gas was used to restrain dozens of people who had been on the boat.<\/p>\n

\u201cFive men were arrested, including a suspected people smuggler who was trying to get away. Some people on the boat
managed to escape on land, but others fell
into the water, including one who suffered a \u00adcardiac arrest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Two migrants reported missing were feared dead last night. The Daily Express has been told they are from Iraqi Kurdistan and their families have not been able to contact them.<\/p>\n

At least eight asylum seekers have perished making the crossing this year. James Cleverly said it is \u201ca horrific reminder of the people smugglers\u2019 brutality\u201d.<\/p>\n

He added: \u201c Twenty-five thousand people have been averted from crossing this year \u2013 but we must and will do more. Every boat stopped is a potential life saved.\u201d The Daily Express \u00adunderstands migrants are being forced into even larger and \u00adflimsier dinghies than before.<\/p>\n

Sources suggest this is because more boats are being seized by the authorities, leading criminals to try to protect profits by buying cheap ones.<\/p>\n

Officials expect a crackdown will lead to them seeking yet cheaper and riskier vessels.<\/p>\n