Three people die as migrant boat tries to cross English Channel from Dunkirk
Tragic Incident Highlights Ongoing Channel Migration Crisis
PARIS, July 30 (Reuters) - Three people died while trying to cross the English Channel on a "taxi-boat" for migrants near the French port of Dunkirk, the local administration in charge of the Channel and North Sea said on Thursday.
Details of the Incident
The French administration said the boat got into difficulties early on Thursday by Braek beach, saying they would release more detail later.
Channel Crossing Dangers
The Channel is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, and its strong currents have resulted in many deaths of migrants trying to cross over from France to Britain. Human traffickers typically overload the dinghies, leaving them barely afloat.
Government Response and International Cooperation
Tackling the problem of migrants attempting the perilous crossing remains a priority for the French government and the government of new British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who named Jo White as migration minister this month.
Recent UK-France Migration Agreement
In April, Britain struck a deal whereby it would pay France up to £660 million ($882.6 million) to tackle illegal migrant crossings of the Channel, with part of the funding contingent on results.
Additional Information
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(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta;Editing by Inti Landauro and Barbara Lewis)
