Six people traffickers were convicted in Paris of involuntary manslaughter for their role in the deaths of 31 migrants in the worst small-boat disaster in the Channel. The verdict holds members of two smuggling networks responsible for organising the crossing, which ended in tragedy in November 2021.

The boat sank early on 24 November after distress calls were sent to French and British coastguards; only two men survived. The victims, mostly Iraqi Kurds but also including Afghans, Egyptians and Iranian Kurds, included a seven-year-old child. The six received prison terms of six to 10 years, seven others were given sentences of up to four years, and one defendant was acquitted; the boat was described in court as poor quality, overloaded and unsuitable for sea travel.