joined the search operation. many of the survivors had been in the sea, screaming for help. others had been trying to bail out their sinking boat using their shoes. translation: they were in trouble. some were suffering from seasickness and the boats are quite simply overloaded. they overload the boats and so the boats can no longer move forwards. the last boat was too full. these pictures taken earlier in the week showed just how many people can be crammed into flimsy boats in the world s busiest shipping lane. the french authorities say they will only intervene at sea if a boat gets into difficulty. the mp for dover is calling for a new approach. this is an absolute tragedy today in the channel, and my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected. what we now really need to see is the french stopping these unseaworthy and overcrowded vessels getting into the channel in the first place, and a joint channel security zone. charities supporting refugees say they have heard