By Charlotte Webster-
Authorities have made a fourth arrest on suspicion of immigration offences. The National Crime Agency (NCA) announced the arrest of an 18-year-old Sudanese individual on Wednesday evening at the Manston migrant processing center in Kent.
This arrest follows the detention of three other individuals earlier in the week.
The latest arrest underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly incident.
Two Sudanese men, aged 22, and a 22-year-old man from South Sudan were detained on Wednesday on suspicion of facilitating illegal immigration and entering the UK illegally.
Additionally, a 19-year-old Sudanese man, initially arrested on Tuesday, has since been released without charge and is now under the purview of immigration authorities.
The tragic incident unfolded on a beach near Wimereux, in northern France, on Tuesday, as a dinghy carrying more than 100 people encountered difficulty shortly after setting off from Wimereux. Despite rescue efforts, three men, a woman, and a girl lost their lives, while 55 survivors were interviewed by authorities.
The survivors, including a group of 58 who refused to leave the boat and continued their journey towards the UK, are expected to provide further information to aid the investigation.
The tragedy comes amidst ongoing debates over immigration policies and the plight of asylum seekers attempting perilous journeys to reach safety.
While Parliament recently passed legislation aimed at implementing the Government’s plan to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda, critics argue that such measures do little to address the root causes of migration and may not effectively deter future attempts.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has defended the Government’s approach, emphasizing the need for deterrents to discourage illegal migration.
However, campaigners have expressed concern that harsh policies may exacerbate risks for vulnerable migrants, urging authorities to prioritize humanitarian considerations.
As investigations into the English Channel tragedy continue, authorities are confronted with the grim reality of the human cost of migration.
With thousands of individuals embarking on perilous journeys in search of safety each year, calls for comprehensive and compassionate responses to the global refugee crisis grow louder.
However, every countries have their laws which must be heeded, and Britain has set target figures to curb the level of migration into the UK as part of its bid to control immigration.