FACES OF HEARTBREAK

A snapshot of last year's toll in Channel as charities call for safe routes

- DAVE BURKE

THESE are the faces of some of the people who died trying to cross the Channel in 2024.

Babies and children are among the estimated 78 people who perished making the perilous journey.

And as charities warn this year could be worse, MPs have been urged to act to prevent future tragedies.

Smuggling gangs have been packing more people on to deathtrap boats and taking longer routes to evade ramped-up enforcement on the French coast. Too often, this has had devastating consequences.

With the help of charities and experts, The Mirror has been able to name several who died during the perilous crossings. But the identities of many more remain unknown.

Dr Wanda Wyporska, chief executive at Safe Passage International, said: "It's absolutely horrifying seeing so many names and faces who have lost their lives needlessly. Every one of these deaths could have been prevented. Each of these people had hopes and dreams for the future."

CHOKED

Fizza Qureshi, chief executive of Migrants' Rights Network, said: "Their deaths were a result of successive Governments dehumanising refugees, and determining which type of refugee is welcome in the UK.