UK Calls for Joint Patrols with France Following Channel Tragedy

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The UK is to seek joint patrols along the French Channel following the death of 27 migrants in the Channel yesterday (Wednesday).

The French Regional Maritime Authority initially said 31 people had died, but then revised this number down to 27.

Four suspected traffickers have been arrested on manslaughter charges following the tragedy.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday evening following the tragedy, with hopes that France will agree to joint police patrols along the French Channel.

Downing Street said it has to “keep all its options on the table” in an effort to break up the trafficking gangs responsible for putting peoples’ lives at risk.

Immigration Compliance Minister Tom Pursglove confirmed that Mr Johnson had renewed a previous offer to send UK police and Border Force officers to work with the French authoritites to set up joint patrols along the border.

According to French officials, five women and a young girl are among the dead.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the boat carrying the migrants was flimsy and compared it to “a pool you blow up in your garden”.