Five migrants trying to get to Britain on a small boat suffocated due to the mass of people already on board, investigation has revealed.

A criminal enquiry was launched following the five deaths – drowning of three men, a woman in her early 30s, and the four-year-old girl.

What Investigation Reveals

French investigators believe some of the migrants are understood to have suffocated in a gruesome accident on a small boat which then continued on its way to Britain. 

The boat with 112 people on board hit a sandbank off Wimereux beach, causing mass panic as the outboard engine stalled.

The engine stopped and several people fell into the water.

The Boat Was Built to Carry 20 People Only

Before taking off, people smugglers were allegedly charging up to £1000-a-head to board the inflatable boat packed with 112 people, instead of an advised 20.

What Happened in the English Channel?

Then it got in to difficulty early on Tuesday morning off Wimereux beach, near Boulogne-sur-Mer, flinging around 50 people into the bitterly cold water.

Some of the victims are believed to have fallen on the boat and ended being trampled under foot. 

‘They were effectively suffocated while struggling to get out of the trap,’ said an investigating source.

‘Others on board simply wanted to get on with the journey to Britain, and this is exactly what happened.’

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Actions From Officials

Guirec Le Bras, the port town’s prosecutor, said an enquiry has been launched into ‘manslaugher, criminal association, and the assistance of foreigners in an irregular situation’.

Some alleged smugglers were arrested overnight on Monday to Tuesday, and their nautical equipment confiscated, said Mr Le Bras.

Once the migrants were in the boat, officers said there was nothing more they could do, in accordance with safety regulations.