Responding to the news that a baby has died in an attempted Channel crossing on Thursday evening, Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, said:

We are heartbroken that a baby has died in yet another devastating and depressingly preventable tragedy in the Channel. People who make the crossing are fleeing war, conflict and persecution and simply want to be safe.

As our analysis shows, these crossings are getting ever deadlier, with the total number of deaths this year being greater than the previous three years combined.

This procession of death and tragedy shows we need to rethink our approach. Lives will continue to be lost if we carry on as it is.

The government should adopt a more multi-pronged strategy to tackle these life-threatening journeys. Seeking to disrupt the smuggling gangs alone will never be enough: government must also provide safe and legal routes for refugees, as well as meaningful collaboration with European partners.