A 7-year-old girl named Sarah recently died while trying to cross the English Channel with her Family to seek asylum in the UK. (One sentence summary)
- Sarah’s family fled Iraq in 2009, seeking safety in Europe
- They were denied asylum multiple times over many years
- Sarah died when the overcrowded boat she was in capsized
- Her father feels guilty but has few options left
- The tragedy raises questions about immigration policies
Why would a family risk putting a young child’s life in such grave danger? (Question to encourage reading)
Sarah’s Difficult Journey
Sarah was born in Belgium but grew up in Sweden. She lived there with her mom, dad, Ahmed, and two siblings. Ahmed had fled Iraq in 2009. For years, he tried and failed to get permission for his family to settle in Europe as refugees permanently.
Even though Ahmed worked and his children attended school, their asylum appeals were rejected. Eventually, the whole family was deported back to Iraq.
The Desperate Crossing
With few options left, Ahmed paid smugglers to help them cross the English Channel into the UK by boat. It was their fourth attempt at making this difficult journey.
On the beach in France, police spotted and chased Ahmed’s family as they rushed toward the sea. Sarah could be seen riding on her father’s shoulders. There was chaos as smugglers from different groups directed migrants from various countries onto the same small, overcrowded boat.
A Child’s Life Lost
As the boat packed with people tried to leave, Ahmed shouted, “Help me dad!” but got trapped. Sarah disappeared below the crush of bodies.
Later, when rescuers arrived, they pulled Sarah’s lifeless body from the boat. “Her face was blue, she wasn’t breathing,” her devastated father recalled.
A kind and caring student, Sarah had drawn a picture of her family while at school in Sweden. Her teacher said her death deeply saddens the class.
Seeking Safety and Dignity
Despite applying for asylum 14 times in different countries, Ahmed’s pleas for his family were denied over and over again.
“All I wanted was for my kids to go to school, to have dignity,” he explained their reasons for taking the extreme risk to reach the UK.
With unclear options of where to go from here, Ahmed and his grieving wife remain in the French beach town where the tragedy occurred.
Immigration Challenges Persist
Sarah’s death has people questioning whether strict asylum policies force families into putting their lives in jeopardy. As summer approaches, French police are bracing for more attempted Channel crossings.
It remains to be seen if the UK’s controversial plan to deport some migrants to Rwanda will deter people from these dangerous journeys. For Ahmed’s family and others, the search for safety and a new home continues – at a devastating cost.
Does deporting migrants reduce risky crossings or make finding legal pathways to asylum more critical than ever? (Closing thought-provoking question)
