A French court has found six members of human trafficking networks guilty of involuntary homicide in connection with the sinking of a small boat that killed 31 migrants in the Channel. The defendants received prison sentences between six and 10 years, while seven additional defendants received lesser sentences of up to four years. One defendant was acquitted. Thirteen other individuals received various sentences in what authorities described as the worst small-boat disaster in the Channel.
The vessel departed from the French coast in the early morning hours of 24 November 2021 carrying migrants primarily from Iraqi Kurdistan, along with Afghan, Egyptian, and Iranian nationals. Only two survivors were rescued. The court documented that the boat was structurally deficient, lacked proper certification, was overcrowded, and had insufficient life jackets. During the four-week trial in Paris, evidence established that the vessel had issued distress signals to both French and British coastguard services before going down.
Investigators determined that the smuggling operation involved two distinct networks—one led by Iraqi Kurds and another by Afghan nationals—that cooperated to organize the cross-Channel journey. Phone tracking technology enabled authorities to identify members of both organizations. The trial included testimony from family members of victims who traveled from Iraqi Kurdistan to France to participate in proceedings, providing accounts of how their relatives came to board the boat.
Two defendants, including the alleged leader of the Iraqi network identified as Bashdar, did not stand trial. Bashdar remains in custody in Iraq. Obaidullah Maroofkhel, identified as the leader of the Afghan network, received the maximum 10-year sentence and was tried in absentia. Following the verdict, the court issued six arrest warrants for defendants who had appeared as free men during proceedings.
Separately, a police investigation is examining the conduct of seven members of French armed forces allegedly stationed at the regional sea rescue center or aboard a navy vessel who may have failed to respond to the boat’s distress signals. A determination on potential prosecution recommendations is expected in coming months.
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