Two Afghan men have been sentenced to eight months in prison after piloting a dangerously overcrowded migrant boat that led to the tragic deaths of a woman and an eight-year-old boy. The victims, who were Turkish nationals, died during an attempt to cross the English Channel on May 21 last year. UK authorities said the men ignored clear signs that the boat was overloaded and unsafe, pushing forward with their journey despite the risks.
The two men, Shah Salim Sajjadi, 38, and Safiollah Mohammadi, 25, were found guilty of enabling illegal immigration and pleaded guilty at Folkestone Magistrates’ Court. According to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA), the pair helped organize and navigate the vessel, which was carrying around 80 migrants when it left from Gravelines, a town in northern France. They continued the trip even after passengers asked for help and some had already collapsed.
Reports from the time said the overloaded boat included people from various countries, such as Iran, Iraq, and Sudan. French navy forces intervened after being alerted that two passengers were unconscious. Sadly, the woman and the child were pronounced dead at sea and taken to Calais, while ten others needed emergency care. Still, the boat continued heading toward the UK despite the deadly outcome.
The small boats used in these dangerous crossings are often packed far beyond their safe capacity, which can lead to passengers being crushed or suffocating during the journey. Authorities say smugglers prioritize profit over safety, using unseaworthy vessels and sending them off even in risky weather conditions. This has led to a rise in deaths and serious injuries as migrants try to reach the UK.
So far in 2025, over 14,800 migrants have arrived in the UK by small boats, with 1,195 arriving on May 31 alone—the highest single-day figure ever recorded. This marks a 40 percent increase compared to the same time last year. The UK Home Office has also highlighted a rise in “red days,” when weather conditions are favorable for crossings. There were 190 red days recorded in the 12 months leading to April, up from 106 in 2024.
Adam Berry, a branch commander at the NCA, described the case as a tragic reminder of how dangerous Channel crossings are. “This boat was clearly overcrowded and unsafe, but Sajjadi and Mohammadi chose to carry on regardless,” he said. The NCA is continuing to work with French authorities to investigate the broader smuggling network involved in this deadly incident.
Meanwhile, political debate over how to handle illegal immigration continues. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the Labour government for canceling the Rwanda deportation plan, saying it removed a key deterrent. He blamed the rising numbers on poor decision-making, not weather, calling 2025 the worst year in history for illegal crossings. “This is a clear fail for our weak Prime Minister and Home Secretary,” he said.
In response, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK is pressuring France to tighten its maritime laws and do more to stop smugglers. She noted that French police cannot currently act once boats are launched at sea due to legal loopholes. Cooper confirmed that France has agreed to review and change its rules, and that discussions are ongoing. She promised to keep Parliament updated as efforts continue to prevent further tragedies.