12 people, including six children and a pregnant woman, died trying to make the dangerous journey across the English Channel. There is a "moral imperative" to stop the gangs helping people get to the UK in small boats, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said ahead of a meeting with ministers, intelligence agencies and law enforcement bodies. The summit takes place three days after 12 people, including six children and a pregnant woman, died trying to make the dangerous journey across the English Channel. The disaster is the deadliest loss of life in the waterway this year. Earlier this week, Conservative shadow home secretary James Cleverly said it was "not enough to talk about 'smashing the gangs' when the real-life consequences are so serious". Ms Cooper said people had been "packed into an unsafe boat which literally collapsed in the water" adding: "We will not rest until these networks have been dismantled and brought to justice." The deaths of a dozen or more people in the English Channel do not change the fundamental realities of this migration route - and the people who want to use it. This year so far, more than 21,000 people have made the crossing - slightly higher than at the same time last year but 20% lower than in 2022. Website - https://samarashealthcare.co.uk/ Care Certificate Courses Bundle - https://samarashealthcare.co.uk/product/care-certificate-bundle Online Healthcare Courses - https://samarashealthcare.co.uk/?s=care&post_type=product Training Courses - https://samarashealthcare.co.uk/training ************************************************************************************************