Man arrested after Channel drowning of 27 migrants

Aman has been arrested in connection with a boat disaster where at least 27 migrants drowned in the English Channel.

- LIZZIE DEARDEN

The National Crime Agency (NCA) said Harem Ahmed Abwbaker, 32, was alleged to be a member of the smuggling gang that organised the fatal crossing in November 2021.

Investigators arrested him in the Cheltenham area of Gloucestershire at around 6.45am yesterday morning.

He is due to appear for a hearing over an extradition request by French authorities at Westminster Magistrates' Court today. If he is transferred to France, Mr Abwbaker could face charges equivalent to manslaughter and facilitating illegal immigration.

Craig Turner, deputy director of the NCA, said: "This is a significant arrest, and comes as part of extensive inquiries into the events leading to these tragic deaths in the Channel. The individual detained today is suspected of having played a key role in the manslaughter of those who died.

"Working closely with our French partners we are determined to do all we can to get justice for the families of those whose lives were lost, and disrupt and dismantle the cruel organised criminal networks involved in people smuggling." The criminal investigation continues a year after the worst disaster of its kind, which also sparked separate inquiries in Britain and France over the actions of search and rescue services.