In response to reports that four people have died trying to cross the English Channel, Sacha Deshmukh, Amnesty International UK’s Chief Executive, said:

“This is more terrible news from the Channel and we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of those who’ve died.

“This tragedy is yet another reminder that the new Government needs to go beyond talk of ‘smashing the gangs’ by urgently setting up safe asylum routes so people can avoid perilous journeys at the hands of people smugglers.

“After years of woeful mismanagement, the whole asylum system is in a state of disarray. Governments on both sides of the Channel must cooperate to guarantee the right to seek asylum on each of their territories, otherwise desperate people will continue to take dreadful risks.”