French magistrates on Thursday brought preliminary charges against five French sea rescue workers in an investigation into the deadly sinking of a fragile migrant vessel in the English Channel in 2021 that killed 27 people.
The five, all military personnel, received a preliminary charge of failing to help people in distress, judicial officials said.
Preliminary charges allow magistrates more time to investigate. Magistrates have already filed preliminary charges against another 10 people suspected of manslaughter and aiding the illegal entry of migrants. Three magistrates are conducting the investigation.
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French magistrates investigating 27 migrant deaths bring charges against Channel sea rescuers (Fox News)
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The five soldiers have now also served at a French maritime surveillance and rescue center for the English Channel, court officials said. They are not detained.
The center’s missions include coordinating search and rescue operations.
The November 2021 shipwreck was the deadliest migration accident on the perilous stretch of sea separating France and Britain.
He highlighted the smuggling networks that prey on migrants. It also heightened tensions between France and Britain over how to handle the problem.
