Human tragedy: Dozens of immigrants drowned when their boat capsized off the coast of Britain Israel today

Shock in Britain:

Dozens of immigrants trying to reach the kingdom from France were killed when the boat in which they were crowded overturned today (Wednesday) in the Menashe Canal between the two countries.

According to reports in the British media, there are at least 31 deaths, but according to other reports it is a lower number.

A French patrol boat spotted the bodies around two o'clock in the afternoon (local time) and began to pull them out of the water.

The rescued survivors - some unconscious - were evacuated to a hospital.

In addition, a number of missing persons were reported.

At one point, French, British and Belgian helicopters also joined the rescue efforts.

Immigrant with a girl, after being shirtless and reaching the shores of Britain, Photo: Reuters

According to information reported by the Reuters agency, the immigrants left the city of Calais on the shores of France and for no apparent reason their boat capsized, possibly because of sea conditions or because there were too many people on board the inflatable boat.

"Even if sometimes the sea looks its own, in the middle of the canal there are always many waves and it is dangerous" said the head of the port in Calais.

The "Renly" lifeboat with the immigrants, Photo: Reuters

Prime Minister Boris Johnson convened an emergency cabinet, known as the COBRA, to discuss the response to the tragedy, even though the influx of refugees has become a divisive issue in the British public.

Coupled with the fact that Britain has recently taken drastic measures to curb immigrants, they have all been united in the country in light of the tragedy.

Johnson said he was "saddened and shocked."

French Prime Minister Jean Castex has blamed the tragedy on "human traffickers who are exploiting the plight of immigrants".

Immigrants fleeing war zones have been trying for years to cross the canal to Britain and in many cases are drowning in the sea, but such a number of deaths in a single incident is unusual.

So far this year over 25,000 people have crossed the UK through the canal, three times as much as in 2020.

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