Dozens of individuals, including an eight-year-old child, tragically lost their lives while attempting the perilous Channel crossing in 2025, according to distressing statistics.
Charitable organizations estimate that a minimum of 36 individuals perished in their quest to reach the UK, although some groups suggest that the actual number may be higher. Among the deceased were a mother and her daughter, identified as Kazaq Ezra, aged 40, and Agdad Hilmi, aged eight, who were tragically crushed on a small vessel in May.
Working in collaboration with various agencies in the UK and France, the Mirror has endeavored to uncover the identities of those who perished. Unfortunately, neither country maintains a comprehensive database of the deceased or their identities, resulting in many individuals remaining unidentified.
The act of publishing the names of the deceased has been emphasized as the minimum required to acknowledge their humanity. Louise Calvey, the director of Asylum Matters, expressed concern, stating that the lack of acknowledgment of these tragedies by the government sends a callous message regarding the value of individuals seeking refuge and the repercussions of governmental policies.
Among those identified was Natnael Tesfalem, aged 31, from Eritrea, who drowned on May 19. Additionally, Awet Hagos Haile, a woman believed to be around 30, also from Eritrea, passed away in March. Bilal Yildirim, a Turkish national, went missing for over 50 days before his body was discovered. Highlighting the dangers, Ozgur Gul, a friend of Bilal, mentioned on a GoFundMe page for his funeral that the boat he boarded was deemed unsafe for travel.
In August, a Somali woman, potentially named Ayesha, tragically drowned while boarding a boat in Dunkirk. Despite efforts to rescue her, the 27-year-old lost her life on the scene. Tragically, two additional women from Somalia met similar fates the following month.
Kuwaiti national Jabr Al Ftah, aged 64, suffered a fatal heart attack while aboard a small boat bound for the UK on March 8. Abdul Raheem Qasem, aged 24, from Yemen, was discovered deceased on the beach of Salines in Sangatte on January 22 after attempting the crossing. Suleiman Alhussein Abu Aeday, a Syrian individual in his early twenties, became the first recorded casualty of the year, passing away 11 days earlier.
Calais Migrant Solidarity reported that an unidentified Eritrean woman, thought to be in her thirties, was laid to rest in a Calais cemetery in April before her family could be located. She lost her life while endeavoring to reach the UK via a small boat.
The Missing Migrants Project has estimated that 36 individuals lost their lives while attempting to reach the UK in 2025, comprising 20 men, six women, and a child. Unfortunately, the ages and genders of the remaining deceased individuals remain unknown.
While drowning is listed as the cause of death in nine cases, for many others, the cause remains unclear.
There is mounting pressure on the government to accurately document the number of fatalities during small boat crossings. Labour MP Nadia Whittome, who has been advocating for the official recording of Channel deaths, expressed dismay, emphasizing the need to acknowledge and address these preventable tragedies.
Gunes Kalkan, head of campaigns at Safe Passage International, emphasized the urgent necessity for the government to expand legal routes to deter individuals from resorting to human smugglers. The suspension of family reunion routes for those granted refugee status, Kalkan warned, could have dire consequences.
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) has reported that over 40 individuals lost their lives in 2025 while attempting to reach the UK. Seema Syeda, a representative from the charity, highlighted the importance of providing equal access to safe travel routes to prevent such tragic events.
Ms. Calvey reiterated the gravity of each death, emphasizing the need to honor the deceased, take action to prevent further loss of life, and implement safe routes to prevent future tragedies.
A Home Office spokesperson emphasized the tragic loss of life at sea and the government’s commitment to saving lives and safeguarding borders through comprehensive reforms aimed at tackling illegal migration effectively.