A man has been arrested in the UK in connection with the deaths of at least 27 people who drowned while trying to cross the Channel in a dinghy a year ago.
Harem Ahmed Abwbaker, 32, was detained at an address in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, at about 6.45am on Tuesday, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.
He is accused of being a member of an organised crime gang behind the crossing in November 2021. All but two of the people on board died after the boat sank. Four people are still missing.
He is due to appear at Westminster magistrates court on Wednesday for extradition proceedings.
Craig Turner, the NCA deputy director, said: “This is a significant arrest, and comes as part of extensive inquiries into the events leading to these tragic deaths in the Channel.
“The individual detained today is suspected of having played a key role in the manslaughter of those who died.
“Working closely with our French partners, we are determined to do all we can to get justice for the families of those whose lives were lost, and disrupt and dismantle the cruel organised criminal networks involved in people-smuggling.”
Commenting on the arrest, the home secretary, Suella Braverman, said: “My thoughts continue to be with the families of all of those who tragically lost their lives in this horrendous incident.
“I thank the NCA and other agencies across the UK and France for their tireless work to deliver justice for the victims and their families by identifying those we believe to be responsible and ensuring they feel the full force of the law.”
An interim report from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) published last week confirmed that the boat had reached UK waters.
Initially, officials thought the tragedy was outside their jurisdiction because the bodies and survivors were found in the French part of the Channel.
Bereaved families who lost relatives in the mass drowning have criticised the MAIB for a lack of progress in determining how and why dozens of lives were lost.
Of those on board the dinghy, 27 bodies were recovered. Four are still missing.
Only two people survived in the incident, the worst maritime disaster in the Channel for 30 years. Among the dead were 21 men, seven women, including one who was pregnant, and three children.
Sixteen of the bereaved relatives have written to the prime minster, Rishi Sunak, urging him to make changes to prevent future tragedies.
After the MAIB’s report last week, the organisation said: “While it may not be possible to fully understand precisely what happened at the time of the accident, it is important that we examine whether the UK’s emergency response was appropriate that night once it became apparent that migrant boats might be in distress in UK waters.
“The purpose of our investigation is to improve safety, and if lessons can be learned, and if deemed appropriate, we will make recommendations to address the issues identified. Our investigation is ongoing, and we expect to publish it in early summer 2023.”
The spokesperson added that tracing victims’ families was “a complex process”.