Four days after a makeshift boat sank on Saturday, August 12, killing six of the more than 60 migrants attempting to reach the English coast from France, the investigation launched by the Paris prosecutor's office has made significant progress. Le Monde has learned that four suspects arrested on the day of the sinking were indicted by an examining magistrate on Wednesday, August 16, for manslaughter and other offenses.

The Paris prosecutor's office, which has requested that they be remanded in custody, said that they are two Iraqi nationals, born in 1980, suspected of having organized the shipping of these migrants, the majority of whom were Afghans. Two Sudanese nationals, born in 1994 and 2006, are also in custody, suspected of having assisted in the Channel crossing in exchange for special rates for their own passage. Since the latter were both victims and co-perpetrators of the tragedy, they would seem to have a lesser responsibility than the two Iraqi smugglers.

On Wednesday, a judicial investigation was opened by two examining magistrates for "manslaughter and unintentional injury through a manifestly deliberate breach of a particular duty of care or safety," an offense punishable by up to five years of imprisonment, and for "aiding the illegal entry of a foreigner as an organized gang," an offense punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment.

After interviewing the 38 survivors rescued and brought to Calais by the French coastguard (23 were recovered in Dover by British vessels), investigators now know more about the causes of the sinking.

The inflatable boat, too small to accommodate 65 or 66 people – the exact number of passengers is still being investigated – suffered engine damage when it was some 20 km off the French coast. There was panic on board, and the bottom of the boat broke apart, causing a tear along its entire length, the Paris prosecutor's office explained, noting that there were hardly any life jackets on board.

The alarming situation of the makeshift boat was brought to the attention of the emergency services by a passing boat. Several ships were then diverted, including two French and two British rescue vessels, as well as a helicopter tasked with locating any survivors at sea. The identity of the six drowned migrants, all of Afghan nationality, was still being verified on Wednesday. According to the prosecutor's office, it is still not clear if there are any other passengers still missing.

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