Migrants were packed on a boat in the sea off Wimereux near Boulogne in France
By Thomas Mackintosh
BBC News
A 23-year-old man has been arrested after an investigation into the deaths of five migrants in the Channel, the UK’s National Crime Agency has said.
The Sudanese national was arrested in Hayes, west London, on suspicion of assisting illegal immigration and entering the UK illegally.
The boat was carrying 112 people at the time of the tragedy on 23 April.
Three men, a woman and a seven-year-old girl died in a crush on board the boat.
The NCA said the arrested man will now be interviewed by investigators.
Last week two people, who can not be named for legal reasons, appeared at Folkestone Magistrates Court charged with immigration offences.
A third man remains on bail as investigations into the incident in the sea off Wimereux continues.
Officials said more than 50 people who were on board the boat, which arrived in UK waters later that day, have now been interviewed.
The vessel initially ran into trouble early on 23 April, with French police witnessing people entering the water from the overcrowded vessel.
It was one of a number of small boats which left France at about 03:00 local time amid favourable weather conditions.
Upon seeing the boat in distress, French regional prefect Jacques Billant said the Abeille Normandie patrol boat was immediately deployed to rescue those who had set off on the boat.
When they arrived, several people were “unconscious and in great difficulty”.
Six people were taken aboard the patrol boat, before being taken to the beach to be treated by emergency services.
Another 47 people were rescued from the boat by French authorities, according to Mr Billant, but a further 55 remained on board as they did not wish to be rescued.
They were among a large group of migrants who later arrived in Dover.
