39 deaths.

[Tashyboy]

There's a couple of things about this tragedy that I cannot get my head around. But one thing is the people that died apparantly paid £30K to be smuggled into the UK, money which has now been allegadly returned. But why did they just not come to the UK on holiday the normal way and just stay.

 

[AmandaJR]

Not sure. Lack of passports/documents perhaps?

 

[Imurg]

They may have been fooled into thinking that this was the only way in.
The traffickers can be very persuasive to people who don't know much about these things, especially if they have a poor education.
Hope someone rots in hell for this.....

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Presumably a good chunk of the £30k is paid afterwards. I can't believe they have that much money upfront. Some but not all.

A truly awful line of business.

 

[Hobbit]

For some countries, maybe China is one, you need authorisation to leave the country, as well as a visa to enter the country you're visiting.

 

[USER1999]

For some countries, maybe China is one, you need authorisation to leave the country, as well as a visa to enter the country you're visiting.

This. We take for granted that our UK / EU passport is welcomed around the world. Others are not so lucky.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Certainly felt the effects of this sad discovery on our journey home from France through Calais today. All of the passengers on our minibus had to get off and walk through the security check and passport control while the bus was fully checked. Definitely tighter security than previously experienced but if checks like this can save even one life then there surely can't be any argument against it

 

[USER1999]

Yeah but the people smugglers don't bring people in on mini buses? Total waste of time, for all involved.

 

[ColchesterFC]

Yeah but the people smugglers don't bring people in on mini buses? Total waste of time, for all involved.

One illegal immigrant smuggled into the country under our cases today would've more than covered the cost of our trip. It might not be a tactic that smugglers are currently using but that doesn't mean it's not something that should be considered.

 

[User20204]

What I can't quite get to grips with is, why here, the UK ? It's not like France/Holland/Germany/Belgium etc etc are desperate regimes where your life is in constant danger, they were already in mainland western Europe.

 

[USER1999]

A container full, paying 30k a time holds more attraction though.

 

[SocketRocket]

What I can't quite get to grips with is, why here, the UK ? It's not like France/Holland/Germany/Belgium etc etc are desperate regimes where your life is in constant danger, they were already in mainland western Europe.

Absolutely. Countries like France have been allowing these people to stay in their country and not insisting they are processed as either asylum seekers or illegal immigrants, they just leave and ignore them in the hope they will get out of their country and go to the UK who can deal with them. Its inhuman and one would think against EU rules.

 

[Tashyboy]

For some countries, maybe China is one, you need authorisation to leave the country, as well as a visa to enter the country you're visiting.

I did think this Hob, but I read they flew into " Europe" then was smuggled into the UK and am thinking why not fly straight into the UK..

 

[robinthehood]

Absolutely. Countries like France have been allowing these people to stay in their country and not insisting they are processed as either asylum seekers or illegal immigrants, they just leave and ignore them in the hope they will get out of their country and go to the UK who can deal with them. Its inhuman and one would think against EU rules.

These people?

Processing in France is irrelevant, they still want to come here and will try.

 

[Tashyboy]

Absolutely. Countries like France have been allowing these people to stay in their country and not insisting they are processed as either asylum seekers or illegal immigrants, they just leave and ignore them in the hope they will get out of their country and go to the UK who can deal with them. Its inhuman and one would think against EU rules.

On my round the world Jaunt, there were many things that enlightened me. On our last flight from Singapore to Doha, then connecting flight to Manchaster. Due to circumstances we missed the Manchester flight. Anyway there were 7 of us in the same boat. One of the lads from Birmingham way had a Australian years visa, then a tourist visa where he was working cash in hand which is illegal. His mother went to Australia for 2 weeks to 3 weeks and he showed her around. He then went to Singapore for a couple of days with her. She went home, he went back to Oz. They wouldn't let him back in. Hie visa was out of date. They found out he was being paid cash in hand. In essence he was put in chains and put in prison. He said he would pay for a ticket straight back to the UK. Oz immigration was having none of it. He was sent back to Singapore which was place of arrival by budget airlines 3 days later. I think what I am trying to say is why does the EU not do the same. Surely there's a differance between legal and illegal migration, immigrants etc etc.

 

[SocketRocket]

These people?

Processing in France is irrelevant, they still want to come here and will try.

Yes, these people. I guess they are people.
Where they want to go is irrelevant , they are in France without visas. If they were camping in Dover trying to get to France do you believe for one minute our authorities would allow it? Of course they wouldn't, they would be processed as either asylum seekers or illegal immigrants and the UK would take responsibility for feeding and housing them.

 

[gmc40]

The driver’s been charged with 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to people traffic, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and money laundering.

If found guilty he’ll get a few years.

 

[USER1999]

Is he a scapegoat though? I guess we will see.

 

[gmc40]

Is he a scapegoat though? I guess we will see.

Others are still being questioned so not sure he’s being used as a scapegoat. They (the police) must feel they have a fair bit of evidence given the charges.

 

[User20204]

What a sorry tale this all is. Illegal immigrants being trafficked in by god knows who under whatever circumstances. There must be some serious money in all of this and begs the question, how often does this go on and they get through.

A lot more questions than answers that's for sure.