Sudanese man charged over deaths of four in Channel crossing tragedy

A Sudanese man has been charged in connection with the deaths of four people who drowned while attempting to cross the Channel in a small boat.

Alnour Mohamed Ali, 27, has been charged with endangering life after two men and two women died while trying to board a small vessel heading to the UK on April 9, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said, the Guardian reports. 

Ali is alleged to have piloted the boat from France to the UK. Following the incident, 38 people were returned to France, while 74 continued their journey to the UK.

According to the NCA, the so-called “taxi boat” smuggling method — intended to evade French police — involves small vessels waiting near pre-arranged beaches, where passengers enter the water to climb aboard.

Endangering another person during a sea crossing to the UK is a new offence introduced under border security legislation earlier this year. Ali is scheduled to appear before Folkestone Magistrates’ Court on April 11.

The new law targets dangerous conduct during crossings, including overcrowding unsafe boats, using intimidation, or resisting rescue attempts.

French government official François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, told reporters on April 9 that the people who died were “already quite far into the sea”, adding: “The currents, which can be dangerous here, swept them away.”

The NCA said it is assisting French authorities with their investigation.

According to Home Office data, more than 5,000 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year.

Migrant charities have urged the UK government to provide safe and legal routes for asylum seekers to prevent further deaths. Meanwhile, the Conservative Party accused the Labour government of being “weak” in tackling Channel crossings.

The UK government said it was “deeply saddened” by the deaths.

By Sabina Mammadli