Female migrant, 24, who was trying to reach the UK on a small boat was ‘trampled to death by group of 80 people and thrown overboard’
- The young woman from Eritrea was crushed when the boat left Sangatte beach
A female migrant who was trying to reach the UK on a small boat was trampled to death by 80 others and thrown overboard.
The tragedy occurred at 5am on September 26 when the boat left Sangatte beach, around five miles from Calais.
The 24-year-old from Eritrea was crushed by a crowd and suffered asphyxia.
Her unconscious body was chucked overboard before they continued their journey and Border Force took them to Dover, The Telegraph reports.
The woman’s body was found by her partner and taken back to the beach in Calais.
Blériot beach in Sangatte (File Photo). The tragedy occurred at 5am on September 26 when the boat left Sangatte beach, around five miles from Calais
An investigation by detectives in France resulted in the arrest of a group of 16 with people smuggling links.
They are accused of planning the border crossing with several others. Authorities believe they raked in at least £5million, with dozens of crossings thought to have taken place.
A source told The Telegraph: ‘Police interviewed the partner of the woman who died who said she was trampled to death and then thrown overboard, unconscious. He jumped in to try and save her but it was too late.
‘It shows how utterly ruthless these people are. Her partner was begging them to help but they did not care.’
A border force vessel in Dover, Kent (File Photo)
A French justice department spokesman said: ‘A young migrant, who was on board an overloaded small boat, appeared to be trampled in a stampede involving men, women and children.
READ MORE: More than 26,000 migrants have now crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, official figures show, after another 185 men, women and children arrived in Dover yesterday
‘The death of this young woman was attributed by the medical examiner to asphyxia resulting from restricted ventilation.’
An investigation into the smuggling ring was set up by prosecutors in Boulogne and then undertaken by specialist organised crime detectives in France.
Fifteen people from Iraq, Libya, Tunisia and Syria have been indicted and face ten years in jail if they are found to be guilty.
More than 26,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year, new figures revealed this week.
Six dinghies carrying 185 men, women and some children were intercepted by Border Force on Monday.
Migrants on Thursday began returning to the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge after it was evacuated two months ago over contaminated water supply fears.
A coach carrying migrants was seen arriving at Portland Port where the vessel is moored.
The first migrants to be housed at the site arrived in early August but all 39 were evacuated days later following the discovery of Legionella bacteria in the water supply.
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