Fourteen men are on trial in Paris on Tuesday over the 2021 drowning of more than 30 migrants in the English Channel, the deadliest recorded migrant disaster in the narrow seaway between France and Britain.
The migrants were attempting to reach Britain from northern France when their overcrowded inflatable boat deflated in November 2021.
At least four people remain missing after 27 bodies were recovered. Only two men survived. The victims were mainly Iraqi Kurds but also included people from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Egypt, Somalia, Iran and Vietnam. The youngest known victim was a seven-year-old girl.
The defendants face charges including involuntary manslaughter, facilitating illegal immigration as part of an organised gang and criminal conspiracy. Two remain at large and will be tried in absentia.
Investigators allege that Afghan and Iraqi-Kurdish smuggling networks organised the journey from migrant camps near Grande-Synthe and Calais, in France.
Those facing involuntary manslaughter charges include alleged organisers, transporters and logistics coordinators. Prosecutors argue their actions contributed to the conditions that led to the deaths, even if some were not present when the boat departed.
The dinghy was not certified or suitable for open-sea navigation and did not carry enough life jackets, according to court documents. Experts concluded those on board had “no chance” of responding effectively to an emergency at sea.
Evidence gathered by investigators includes mobile-phone data, intercepted communications, surveillance and testimony from survivors and victims’ relatives.
A British inquiry into the disaster concluded the deaths were avoidable and identified failures on both sides of the Channel.
It found that a French naval vessel failed to respond to a request for assistance from the British coastguard, while British authorities made “a number of flawed decisions”, including ending the search for survivors too early.
Relatives of some victims are expected to travel from Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan to attend the proceedings.
“Justice must hold accountable everyone who played a role in this tragedy,” lawyers representing some of the families said.
The trial is scheduled to run until 30 September.
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