Police discovered the bodies of three men and one woman in the English Channel. Bah was found guilty of their manslaughter as he was responsible for steering the dinghy despite being unqualified to do so.
The court heard that Bah had charged each passenger £2,000 for the illegal journey, which was supposed to take them to the UK from France. The passengers, who were from Iran and Kuwait, had boarded the dinghy on a beach in northern France before setting off for UK waters.
The tragic event occurred in August 2020 and led to a large search and rescue operation by the UK and French authorities. The victims were found in the water after the dinghy started to sink, highlighting the dangers of attempting to make the dangerous crossing.
Ibrahima Bah’s conviction was celebrated by the families of the victims, who are now seeking justice for their loved ones. The 20-year-old Senegalese man faces a lengthy prison sentence for his role in the deaths of the migrants.
The case has brought renewed attention to the issue of migrants attempting dangerous crossings in small boats in an attempt to reach the UK. Campaigners are calling for increased support and safer routes for those seeking asylum, in order to prevent further tragedies like the one caused by Ibrahima Bah’s actions.
