Paris Court Sentences 13 Smugglers to Up to 10 Years Over 2021 Channel Deaths

A Paris court on September 30, 2026, sentenced 13 men to prison terms of up to 10 years over the November 2021 Channel crossing in which 31 migrants, mostly Iraqi Kurds, died. Six were convicted of involuntary homicide; seven of lesser charges. Prosecutors said the overloaded boat was unfit for open sea. One defendant was acquitted.