Who is to blame for refugee tragedy in Calais?

The United Kingdom and France are blaming each other for the deaths of at least 27 people in the English Channel.

It is the worst disaster in these waters since the United Nations began collecting data in 2014.

The deaths have worsened relations between the UK and France, who are already at odds over Brexit.

France cancelled a weekend meeting with British officials in protest against a letter made public by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The UK government had called on France to start taking back all migrants trying to make the crossing.

But French authorities say France is only a transit country for many refugees and migrants.

So, what will it take to stop such a tragedy happening again?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra

Guests:

Jacques Reland – Senior research fellow at the World Policy Institute

Maya Konforti – Secretary General of the Calais charity L’Auberge Des Migrants

Sarah Overton – Researcher at the UK in a Changing Europe think-tank