A war of words has erupted between the leaders of Britain and France over the deaths of 27 people trying to cross the English Channel by boat.
At least 27 people, including a pregnant woman, drowned at sea near France on Wednesday in an attempt to enter Britain illegally, according to US broadcaster CNN.The incident is one of the deadliest attempts to cross the English Channel in recent years.
The French prosecutor's office said the dead included 17 men, seven women and three teenagers.
A rescue official who arrived at the scene said he had found the body of a pregnant woman.
Both French President Emmanuel McChwan and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson have expressed regret over the tragedy. McKeown had said he would not allow the English Channel to become a cemetery.
The two leaders agreed on joint efforts to curb the illegal entry of migrants, but also accused each other of "insufficient measures".
In a telephone call Wednesday night, McKeown took a step further, urging Johnson to stop politicizing the issue of illegal immigration (to the UK).Johnson said on Thursday that he had written to McKeown asking him to take five steps that he thought should be done as soon as possible so that future people would be able to cross the English Channel in small boats. Avoid casualties.
In a thread on Twitter, Boris Johnson wrote that the parties have acknowledged the "importance of the situation". His proposals call for joint patrols, improved intelligence sharing and an immediate bilateral agreement to prevent boats.
Boris Johnson has called on France to immediately repatriate all immigrants arriving in England after crossing the English Channel.
"The agreement with France to repatriate immigrants crossing the English Channel through dangerous routes will have an immediate and significant effect," Johnson said.
