How to explain these tragedies?
The only ones responsible for these tragedies are the networks of smugglers who, out of greed and total disregard for human life, put people at ever greater risk. These boats are systematically overloaded, underinflated, without floors, underpowered and without life jackets for all occupants. Smugglers literally lead these migrant populations to accidents and death, as has been the case during these last particularly deadly weeks. In fact, since September 1, 2024, we have recorded 41 deaths. This is more than the total number of people who lost their lives during a crossing during the whole of 2023. Already dramatic, this toll would be much higher without the essential action of the sea rescue services and law enforcement mobilized on the coast, who save lives every day. Since January 1, 2024, more than 5,300 people have been rescued at sea by PREMAR services, an equal number of lives saved. 716 crossing attempts were also prevented by law enforcement, compared to 662 at the same time last year.
How do law enforcement handle this situation?
During these interventions, law enforcement officers face increasing aggression from smugglers and migrants themselves. 77 police officers and gendarmes have been injured since the start of the year. Despite these difficult conditions, the workforce remains fully mobilized to prevent these fatal crossings. If it was still necessary to illustrate their commitment, 10 gendarmes threw themselves into the water and found themselves in a state of hypothermia on October 30 in Neufchâtel-Hardelot after having come to the aid of around sixty migrants who had not managed to get into a taxi-boat.
Are current responses on the coast appropriate?
The system for combating maritime crossings is subject to constant adaptation to counter the strategies of smugglers: increased presence of law enforcement in the slots most conducive to crossings, specific attention paid to departure spots the most used for taxi-boats, great mobility of the police in their maneuver to intercept groups, etc. State services in the Nord and Pas-de-Calais will tirelessly continue the fight against these criminal networks and will continue to support elected officials, who are also hard hit by the migration crisis. Bertrand Gaume and Jacques Billant know they are fully mobilized on this subject and the State will always be at their side. This afternoon again, the two prefects were present in Calais to discuss this issue with the mayor.
