Good morning, Britain interrupted regular broadcasting this morning as hosts Adil Ray and Charlotte Hawkins delivered the “devastating” news.
According to French authorities, ITV hosts reported that a child had died after a boat carrying migrants encountered difficulties in the English Channel.
Charlotte explained that “over 60 people” were believed to have been rescued, however the baby unfortunately drowned. The presenter said: “We have tragic news here.
“Another death in the English Channel, this time of a child. How long will it be before the situation is under control and we don’t see such deaths?”
Work and Pensions Minister Alison McGovern joined the ITV show’s presenters via video link and described the news as “devastating”.
She said she “only” found out about the news herself, adding: “It’s devastating to hear what happened and it just breaks my heart to think of a child dying like that. It’s devastating.”
The MP appeared a bit tearful as she continued: “Of course, like everyone else, we want to see progress in stopping this terrible trade and the people who traffic in people. This is terrifying.
“We moved quickly to appoint a new commander and did what we said, which was to work with nearby countries to improve the situation.”
Mrs McGovern said there was a “sense of desperation” after hearing the “horrific” news of the baby’s death.
Charlotte asked how long it would take to implement the measures because the longer it takes, the more lives will be lost. The politician agreed, saying: “Yes, it’s true.
“And it is all the more important that we continue to work to undermine this terrible trade. “I know people will be keen to see progress on this, given the consequences to human lives, it is absolutely devastating.”
She then said the Home Secretary would say more on the subject in parliament, continuing: “I understand people’s absolute desire, which I share, to stop this phenomenon.”
The tragedy occurred off the coast of the French town of Wissant on Thursday evening, confirmed the French maritime authorities.
Four ships, including a French Navy vessel and a helicopter, were involved in the effort to help those on board the damaged ship.
A statement from the French maritime authorities said: “On the evening of Thursday, October 17, the regional operational surveillance and rescue center (CROSS) was informed of the departure of a boat carrying migrants off the coast of Wissant.
“After reaching the site, the services noticed that the heavily loaded boat was having difficulties and that some people were in the water. “The services then lowered their semi-rigid boats into the water and began to pull people out of the difficulty.”
The statement added that a boat called the Abeille Normandie took 65 people on board and that another ship, the Minck, recovered an “unconscious infant” who was transferred aboard the Abeille Normandie.
She added that paramedics from a helicopter boarded the Abeille Normandie, but unfortunately “the dispatching doctor declared the child dead.”
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