Responding to the news about several people, including a child, losing their lives in an attempted Channel crossing on Friday night, Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, said:

This is yet another devastating and preventable tragedy. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.

Each of these lives represents someone who was seeking safety and the hope of a future free from war and persecution.

There have been many more deaths this year compared to last which is a clear indication that a different approach is urgently needed.

It is vital that the government now adopts a multi-pronged strategy to tackle dangerous crossings, that includes not just seeking to disrupt the gangs but also providing more safe and legal routes for refugees, as well as meaningful collaboration with European partners.