SEVERAL migrants have died while attempting to cross the English Channel – hours after Mafia-style crackdown plans were revealed.
A number of asylum seekers died off the coast between the French ports of Calais and Boulougne overnight.
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A local official said “several migrants lost their lives” in the tragedy but did not specify how many.
It comes just two weeks after 12 people including six children and a pregnant woman died when another small boat sank in the Channel.
Yesterday it was revealed Sir Keir Starmer will use Italy’s success in cracking down on the Mafia as a blueprint to take on people-smugglers.
The PM will fly to Rome today and hold crunch talks on the small boats crisis with Italian leader Giorgia Meloni.
He will use the summit to announce he has appointed a boss to lead his new UK Border Security Command.
A Labour source said: “Our Border Security Command will pursue illicit finance, dismantle supply chain networks and take down the crime bosses making millions out of small boat crossings.
“We know Italy has had great success tackling organised crime gangs, including the Mafia.
“And we want to learn from the work they have done at home and abroad, so we can take down the awful criminal smuggling mob blighting our waters.”
Speaking about the summit on his trip to the US, Starmer said: “I’ve already had a preliminary discussion with Giorgia Meloni about how we can work together on irregular migration.
“She has of course got some strong ideas and I hope to discuss those with her.
“She and I have already discussed how we can improve joint operations, so that is something we will discuss.”
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