Tragic news

Responding to reports today that a number of people have lost their life crossing the Channel trying to reach sanctuary in the UK, Beth Gardiner-Smith, CEO of Safe Passage International said:  

“We are shocked and saddened by the tragic news unfolding in the Channel. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of all those who have lost their lives. 

The tragic truth is that these deaths could – and should - have been prevented. No one should have to risk their life to reach safety. Every day, men, women and children are having to make extraordinary efforts to reach safety, sanctuary and loved ones here in the UK because there is no other way. To prevent a repeat of this tragedy, refugees urgently need safe routes to reach their loved ones, find refuge and have the chance to rebuild their lives. 

More and more people are risking the freezing, frightening journey across the Channel in small, unstable boats since the Government closed safe routes to the UK last year. Choosing to play politics with people’s lives, the Government has failed to prevent people risking the crossing and this is the result. The Government must act now to save lives by opening safe routes to the UK, and scrap their unworkable plans in the Nationality and Borders Bill which will only make the situation worse.