Pictured: Teenager manslaughter charge after 4 migrants died and …

Teenager, 19, in court charged with manslaughter after four migrants died and 39 were rescued from boat that hit trouble in English Channel

  • Ibrahima Bah is to appear for a preliminary hearing at Canterbury Crown Court

By Ffion Haf[1]

Published: 17:54, 13 April 2023 | Updated: 19:04, 13 April 2023

A teenager has been charged with manslaughter after appearing in court following the deaths of four people in the English Channel[2].

Ibrahima Bah, 19, of no fixed address, appeared via video-link at Folkestone Magistrates' Court in Kent today after being charged with four counts of manslaughter.

The deaths occurred after a small boat got into trouble while crossing to the UK on December 14, 2022.

He was ordered to next appear in custody for a preliminary hearing at Canterbury Crown Court on May 15, although that date may be brought forward.

A court drawing of Ibrahima Bah, 19, at Folkestone Magistrates' Court in Kent after being charged with four counts of manslaughter A court drawing of Ibrahima Bah, 19, at Folkestone Magistrates' Court in Kent after being charged with four counts of manslaughter

A court drawing of Ibrahima Bah, 19, at Folkestone Magistrates' Court in Kent after being charged with four counts of manslaughter

The charges related to an incident in the Channel on December 14 last year, in which four people died after a small boat got into difficulty in the water The charges related to an incident in the Channel on December 14 last year, in which four people died after a small boat got into difficulty in the water

The charges related to an incident in the Channel on December 14 last year, in which four people died after a small boat got into difficulty in the water

Before Thursday's hearing, Kent Police said: 'In the early hours of December 14 2022, Kent Police was called to Dover to assist HM Coastguard following a report received of a small boat in distress in the water.

'A multi-agency search and rescue operation was carried out, resulting in 39 people being safely brought to shore.

'Four other people were pronounced deceased.'

The circumstances surrounding the deaths are being investigated by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, assisted by the National Crime Agency.

'Officers are continuing to work to establish the identity of the deceased and locate the next of kin,' the spokesman said.

References

  1. ^ Ffion Haf (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  2. ^ English Channel (www.dailymail.co.uk)