Migrant, 36, drowned as she was crushed inside small boat while Border Force staff tried to rescue dozens from a sinking dinghy
Manpreet Kaur, a 36-year-old Indian woman, drowned during a Channel crossing after other passengers crushed her in the crowded dinghy as it began to sink. A Maritime Accident Investigation Branch report says the boat was unsuitable for the journey and identifies gaps in rescue training that may have delayed help.
The 7.8-metre boat carried 73 people and began taking on water and spilling fuel before Border Force was called to rescue those aboard in UK waters. Kaur had felt dizzy, possibly from petrol fumes, and remained submerged for a prolonged period; investigators said she was not identified promptly during the mass rescue and missed a crucial ten-minute window, though her chances of survival were limited. The report recommends reviewing training and procedures, while the Home Office said it would consider its findings.
- Manpreet Kaur drowned during a crowded Channel crossing.
- Investigators found the dinghy was unsuitable for the voyage.
- A report recommends reviewing rescue training and procedures.
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People attempting to cross the Channel in small boats often travel in overcrowded vessels that are not designed for the journey. When a boat takes on water, rescue teams may have to help many people at once in difficult conditions.
Border Force is the UK agency responsible for border security and also responds to boats in distress in UK waters. The Maritime Accident Investigation Branch investigates accidents at sea and can recommend changes to improve safety, though it does not decide criminal or civil liability.
The case raises questions about the risks of these crossings and how rescue procedures work during a mass emergency. Its findings may inform reviews of training and practice for future rescues.