Iranian man indicted in France over Dunkirk migrant boat tragedy

At least four people died when the boat sank off the coast of Dunkirk on Tuesday.

1 min read

31 October, 2020

Thousands of migrants have attempted the perilous Channel crossing [Getty/ Archive]

An Iranian man was brought before a French court on Friday over the sinking of a migrant boat off the coast of Dunkirk earlier in the week.

Prosecutors say at least four people died, while four members of one family - including two young children - are still thought to be missing.

The 37-year-old suspected trafficker was brought before an investigative judge with a view to being charged with manslaughter, the Press Association quoted Dunkirk public prosecutor Sebastien Pieve as saying.

The now-sunken boat set off for the United Kingdom with some 28 people on board, according to reports. The boat only had capacity for six or seven passengers to travel safely.

Among those killed in the incident were Rasoul Iran-Nejad and his wife Shiva Mohammad Panahi, both 35. The couple's children Anita, nine, and Armin, six, also died. Their 15-month-old son Artin is still missing.

Relatives of the deceased have called on France to help repatriate the bodies. It is estimated that this will cost more than £90,000 ($116,505).

British Home Secretary Priti Patel has described the incident as “an ultimate tragedy” and said the deaths “could have been avoided”.

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