Nine individuals have been sentenced to a combined 64 years in prison in France for their roles in a small boat crossing that resulted in at least four deaths and four missing persons.
The convictions, which include involuntary manslaughter and endangering lives, stem from a December 2022 incident where a heavily overloaded boat carrying 47 people encountered distress in the English Channel. Four individuals were confirmed to have died, and another four were never recovered. Survivors were rescued by a British fishing vessel and brought to Dover.
Seven Afghan nationals and two Iraqis were found guilty in a trial in Lille, northern France. The Afghan ringleader received an eight-year jail term, while the others were sentenced to seven years each. One defendant was tried in absentia after fleeing France.
This outcome follows a collaborative criminal investigation between French authorities, supported by the UK’s National Crime Agency and Kent Police, which provided crucial intelligence and evidence, including survivor interviews. Separately, a 20-year-old Senegalese national was previously jailed for nine years at Canterbury Crown Court for piloting the “death trap” dinghy, which was designed for far fewer people and carried many without life jackets.
NCA Deputy Director Rick Jones said:
“This was a tragic event which sadly demonstrated the extreme danger involved in putting overloaded boats into the sea.
“While our thoughts remain with the loved ones of those who died, I’m glad that those who organised this crossing have now been brought to justice.
“The gangs involved in this type of criminality have no concern for the welfare or safety of those they transport, they’re just in it for the money. This is why targeting, disrupting and dismantling these networks is a key priority for the NCA and our partners.”
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper is quoted saying:
“This horrific case lays bare the ruthless greed of smugglers who gamble with human lives for profit. These criminal smuggling gangs showed no regard for safety, dignity, or the law – and now they’re facing the consequences.
“The National Crime Agency played a vital role in helping bring these offenders to justice, and we will keep working relentlessly with them and our French partners to shut down these deadly routes and bring perpetrators to justice.”