A Somali survivor of the deadliest small boat tragedy in the English Channel testified at a UK inquiry on Tuesday, claiming that migrants were “treated like animals” and died while waiting for rescue.
Issa Mohamed Omar, one of only two survivors from the tragic sinking of an inflatable dinghy on November 24, 2021, described how the 27 victims—mainly Iraqi Kurds, including women and children—were left in the water for more than 12 hours without help.
Despite making distress calls, the stranded passengers were “left in the water” as they screamed for help in the dark.
Omar, speaking via video link, said it felt as though they were neglected because they were refugees.
He firmly believes that had rescue efforts come sooner, many of the victims could have been saved.
“Because we have been seen as refugees, that’s the reason why I believe the rescue did not come at all,” said the 31-year-old survivor.
The tragedy unfolded as the overcrowded boat capsized early in the morning, leaving passengers in shock.
Omar, who managed to hold onto the remains of the boat, was eventually rescued by French fishermen, spending four months recovering from injuries.
The survivor, who fled Somalia after his father was killed in the civil war, said he had hoped to reach the UK to help his family. As a survivor, he now sees it as his responsibility to be a “voice” for those who lost their lives.
The inquiry focuses on the role of British authorities in the incident, seeking to identify lessons to prevent future tragedies.
The hearings, running until March 27, will also include testimony from UK coastguard members and emergency services.
This inquiry coincides with legal proceedings in France, where military personnel and smugglers face charges related to the incident.
