Man arrested after four migrants died in Channel crossing attempt

10 Apr 2026 • 11:12 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

  • Four people, two men and two women, died on Thursday while attempting to cross the Channel in a small boat.
  • They were trying to board a 'water taxi' dinghy used by smugglers off the coast of France.
  • A 27-year-old Sudanese migrant was arrested on Friday at Manston immigration processing centre on suspicion of endangering others during a journey to the UK by sea.
  • The deaths occurred due to strong currents sweeping them away as they tried to board the vessel.
  • Following the incident, 38 people were returned to France, with one suffering hypothermia and two children taken to hospital.

IN FULL