French police refused to intercept a migrant small boat headed for the UK in which two people died because there were ‘too many people on board.’
Details of the fatal operational error emerged on Friday during the fast-track trial of a Sudanese people smuggler known only as Mukhalas at Dunkirk Criminal Court.
Mukhalas, 34, was jailed for two years after admitting to commanding a small boat that stopped in the Aa canal near Dunkirk last Wednesday.
He and 15 others on board were arrested by Maritime police, who described the dilapidated dingy they were travelling on as like a ‘floating coffin.’
The court heard that very few aboard were wearing life vests, the boat’s engine was failing and the vessel was lying dangerously low in the water.
The so-called ‘taxi boat’ was one of two due to pick up migrants headed for Britain from Gravelines beach.
A state prosecutor said the first boat was allowed to pass as there ‘were too many people on board for the police to safely stop it and arrest those on board.’
He said: ‘The gendarmes approached the first boat. It was carrying twenty-two migrants.
French police (pictured) refused to intercept a migrant small boat headed for the UK in which two people died because there were ‘too many people on board’ (file photo)
Migrants board a dinghy as they prepare to sail into the English Channel (file photo)
‘The authorities decided to let it continue on its way. They deemed it too heavily laden to intercept safely.’
Shortly thereafter, an Afghan and Sudanese national perished during the chaotic pick-up of men, women and children at the beach.
Another prosecuting source said the boat approached the shore with ‘about twenty people on board to pick up dozens of people who were waiting on the beach.’
They said: ‘There was chaos around the beach, with many falling into the water, before the boat finally left.
‘Following the tragedy of the two deaths, the boat set off for the United Kingdom with nearly 80 people on board and has now arrived.’
Medical emergency personnel attended the scene, however, two people were declared dead and a third was taken to hospital.
The deaths marked the first this year on the small boat migrant route between northern France and England.
The court heard people smuggler Mukhalas resided legally in France, however, falsely claimed to be a professional footballer based in Nantes.
Over four thousand small boat migrants have come to Britain in some 70 vessels so far this year (file photo)
Mukhalas was found guilty of ‘aiding and abetting illegal immigration under conditions that endanger the lives of others.’
He said he paid the equivalent of approximately £1000 to pilot the small boat, however, claimed to be unaware it would be used to transport migrants.
Dunkirk prosecutors also confirmed four other men – including a Turkish passenger on the first boat who was arrested by maritime police after falling into the sea – were in custody.
All of the men, who have not been named, face charges relating to assisting illegal immigration.
On Wednesday, a total of 325 migrants arrived in Britain via five small boats, adding to the over four thousand that have come in some 70 vessels so far this year.
It comes as Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed a two-month extension to the existing deal that pays for French police to patrol beaches for migrants, after new terms were not agreed during negotiations.
The current near £500 million deal was due to expire last month. Now, operational costs will be funded by £16.2 million in UK funding which will be covered as part of the new deal.
The extension was implemented to curb a surge in migrant crossings when the deal came to an end.
Ms Mahmood’s demands for the French to deploy more officers on their beaches has meant negotiations to agree a new three-year deal are deadlocked.
She has also demanded that future payments from the British taxpayer be linked to results. But the French refused, claiming it could endanger life at sea.
The Home Secretary vowed she would do ‘whatever it takes to restore order and control at our borders.’