The Refugee Council has urged the UK government to introduce 10,000 special refugee visas to prevent further deaths in the English Channel, following a record number of fatalities in 2024. This comes in response to the rising number of people attempting dangerous crossings in small boats.
According to the Refugee Council’s report, Deaths in the Channel – What Needs to Change, at least 69 people, including men, women, and children, lost their lives while attempting to cross the Channel in 2024—a figure that exceeds the total deaths between 2019 and 2023. The report warns that the death toll could rise further if more is not done to prevent these perilous crossings.
The Council advocates for the introduction of safe and legal routes to the UK, allowing refugees to enter without resorting to smugglers. The report also calls for better documentation of fatalities and improved search and rescue operations, particularly along the northern French coast.
The report highlights the increasingly hazardous conditions for those attempting to cross due to intensified policing by French authorities, funded by the UK government. As enforcement efforts have increased, smugglers are resorting to more dangerous tactics, including overcrowded and inadequate dinghies.
The number of Channel crossings increased by 25% in 2024, with 36,816 people attempting the journey compared to 29,437 in 2023. Despite this, the UK government has rejected calls for safe legal pathways, focusing instead on efforts to dismantle the business model of people smugglers.
The Refugee Council suggests a model similar to one implemented in the United States under President Biden, which includes both border enforcement and sponsorship schemes for refugees. This approach reduced irregular crossings significantly, serving as a potential model for the UK.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, stated that the current strategy is failing and that the rise in deaths could become “normalised” unless urgent action is taken. He emphasized the need for alternative legal routes to provide safety for those fleeing war and persecution.
In response, the Home Office acknowledged the tragedy of each life lost at sea but reiterated that its priority remains saving lives and preventing dangerous crossings. A spokesperson noted that ongoing cooperation with France aims to reduce the risks associated with these perilous journeys.
