‘A tragic reminder of why Rwanda plan is important’, Rishi says after child among 5 migrants killed in Channel crossing

RWANDA flights are a matter of life and death to stop small boat migrants making deadly crossings, Rishi Sunak warned today.

The PM described reports of five drowning in the Channel as "tragic" - but a "reminder of why my plan is so important".

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He said the flagship removal scheme - finally passed by Parliament last night - was even "compassionate" to deter the perilous journeys.

Authorities said five migrants died in a failed attempt to cross the Channel today.

A child, a woman and three men were killed trying to cross from France this morning.

The French coastguard launched an emergency operation and by 11am at least five people were reported drowned off the coast at Boulogne sur Mer.

About 100 migrants have been rescued and placed aboard a French navy ship, which will take them to the port of Boulogne.

Officials reported a four-year-old girl was among the dead asylum seekers.

Many others who struggled ashore were unconscious and suffering from hypothermia, they added.

Speaking en route to Poland, Mr Sunak said: "There are reports of sadly yet more tragic deaths in the Channel this morning.

"I think that it’s just a reminder of why my plan is so important because there’s a certain element of compassion about everything that we’re doing.

"We want to prevent people making these very dangerous crossings

"If you look at what’s happening criminal gangs are exploiting vulnerable people they are packing more and more people into these unseaworthy dinghies.

"You’ve seen an enormous increase in the numbers over the past few years.

"This is what tragically happens when they push people out to sea.

"That’s why for matter of compassion more than anything else we must actually break this business model and end this unfairness of people coming to our country illegally.

"I pay tribute to our border force and the French Cooperation as they always do to rescue people.

"But as I said this underscores why you needed very simply people need to know that if they try and come here illegally they won’t be able to stay.

"They’ll be returned either to their own country or Rwanda and I’m pleased that the bill has passed through Parliament in the face of lots of Labour opposition.

"It was a late night vote but it was worth it and some of you were there yesterday.

"I've outlined the next steps on our plan to get the flights going to 12 weeks with a very thorough process.

"A lot of prep is gone into behind the scenes over the past few weeks and months to be ready for this moment, I’m confident in our ability to deliver."