Paris court jails six men for manslaughter over mass drowning in Channel
A Paris court has found six men guilty of manslaughter over the deaths of 27 people in the Channel in 2021 – the worst mass drowning on record involving migrants in the narrow seaway separating France and Britain.
A Paris court has found six men guilty of manslaughter for the tragic drowning of over 30 migrants in the English Channel five years ago, marking the worst disaster involving migrants in the narrow strait between France and Britain. Seven others were convicted of lesser smuggling charges, including facilitating illegal immigration and criminal conspiracy.
The migrants perished when their overcrowded boat deflated during their crossing, one of the busiest shipping lanes globally. A French fishing vessel alerted authorities after spotting bodies floating off the French coast near Calais in November 2021. Twenty-seven victims were recovered, while at least four remain missing. Only two survivors were found.
The six men convicted of manslaughter received sentences ranging from six to ten years, while others received six months suspended to four years. One man was found not guilty. The victims were mainly Iraqi Kurds, with others from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Somalia, Iran, and Vietnam. Relatives of some victims spoke of the anguish and pain caused by the disaster.
Zana Mamand Muhammad, whose 18-year-old brother Twana was never recovered, expressed her constant anguish, holding a picture of her brother.
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- Paris court convicts 6 men of manslaughter over migrants’ disaster in Channel ghanaiantimes.com.gh
