Low-quality vessels are fueling deadly tragedies in the English Channel.

On Tuesday, Bulgaria’s Interior Ministry reported that 69 inflatable boats, intended to transport migrants illegally from France to the United Kingdom across the English Channel, have been seized so far this year.

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In the past two years, nearly 200 undocumented vessels, hidden in trucks, have been intercepted at Kapitan Andreevo, a checkpoint on the border with Türkiye. The most recent seizure occurred last week, when customs officers discovered 20 boats in a Turkish truck declared as carrying legal goods.

“After opening the truck, two pallets with 20 large packages each were found, declared as tarpaulins. After opening the first package, it was discovered that they were inflatable rubber boats with a rigid board and reinforced bottom,” said Georgi Stefanov, an analyst in the Operational Unit of the Kapitan Andreevo Police Department.

To conceal the shipments from X-ray scans, smugglers typically declare them as tarpaulins, tents or similar items, while the motors travel separately to avoid suspicion.

The problem is serious for the U.K. and France, said Border Police Director Anton Zlatanov, who highlighted the poor quality of the vessels.

“If the boats are designed for 50 people, they carry 90. The boat becomes overloaded and people drown,” Zlatanov said.

Authorities are firm in stating that the vessels are manufactured in Türkiye and used exclusively for illegal migrant transport. “Because of the poor quality of the boats, numerous tragic incidents occur and innocent people die,” explained Diana Markova, public relations expert for the Customs Agency.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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