Migrant Drowns in Channel Crossing After Boat Sinks

A 36-year-old Indian woman drowned after being trampled by other migrants on a sinking dinghy in the Channel, an incident that has prompted a review of Border Force rescue procedures. The vessel, carrying 73 people, became submerged in water and fuel in the early hours of September 9 last year.

The Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) described the 7.8-meter boat as 'wholly unsuitable for the voyage' in a report published Thursday. The dinghy launched from Malo-les-Bains near Dunkirk, France, under favorable weather conditions.

French authorities intercepted the boat shortly after it left the coast and followed it toward British territorial waters. As the journey progressed, the boat began to lose air and leak fuel, leading migrants onboard to attempt to bail out water using plastic bottles. The report notes that several fights had already occurred among those on board.

By the time the dinghy entered UK waters, it was declared to be in distress, and Border Force was tasked with the rescue operation. Amid the unfolding panic as the boat rapidly deteriorated, Manpreet Kaur was pushed to the bottom, submerged in knee-deep water mixed with fuel. She remained underwater for a prolonged period and was found dead with chemical burns.

Investigators believe Kaur had complained of feeling dizzy shortly before the incident, suggesting she may have been weakened by exposure to petrol fumes. The MAIB report stated that many occupants became cold, dehydrated, and weak, with some temporarily losing the use of their legs.

Kaur was not identified promptly because the crew was managing a mass rescue from a rapidly deteriorating situation. The MAIB concluded that Border Force crew lacked specific training in rescuing unconscious individuals from collapsing vessels, preventing Kaur from receiving aid within a critical ten-minute window that might have improved her chances of survival, though the report acknowledged her survival chances were limited even with prompt rescue.

Following the incident, investigators recommended that Border Security Command review its training and procedures for similar situations. The day after Kaur's death, Border Force successfully rescued an unconscious person during another Channel crossing attempt, demonstrating a change in response.

There is no official comprehensive record of deaths during Channel crossings. In 2024, more than 50 people died attempting to cross the Channel, according to French coastguard data, marking it as the deadliest year recorded. Last year, 17 deaths were confirmed.

The Home Office stated that this "tragic loss of life is a stark reminder of the deadly risks posed by small boat crossings and the criminal gangs who profit from them." The department added that it would consider the report's findings and recommendations as it continues to enhance its procedures, training, and operational capabilities.