Cranston Inquiry Hears Heartbreaking Testimonies from Families of Channel Drowning Victims
The Cranston inquiry, established to investigate the worst mass migrant Channel drowning on record, has heard poignant statements from bereaved families. On 24 November 2021, at least 27 people lost their lives in the catastrophic event, with four others still missing. Sir Ross Cranston, the inquiry chair, emphasised the importance of giving voice to those deeply affected by the tragedy.
Victims Remembered: Dreams and Devastation
Families shared intimate details about their loved ones, painting a picture of young lives cut short and unfulfilled aspirations. Kazhal Ahmed Khidir al-Jammoor, 46, and her children Hadiya, 22, Mubin, 16, and Hasti, seven, were among the victims. Hadiya dreamed of becoming a doctor, and her father, Rizghar Hussein, expressed how sadness has overtaken his life since their loss.
Rezhwan Yassin Hassan, 19, was described as a kind and clever top student by his father, Yassin Hassan Hamad. Mohammed Qader Awla, 18, left a voicemail assuring his father he was okay just before the tragedy. Shakar Ali Pirot, 30, a geology graduate unable to find work in Kurdistan, left a voice note saying, "If you do not hear from us, we have arrived in the UK."
Other victims included Serkawt Pirot Mohammed, 29, a football enthusiast buried next to his friend Shakar, and Bryar Hamad Abdulrahman, 22, who came from poverty. Muslim Ismael Hamad, 19, aspired to be a doctor or engineer, with his father noting his bedroom remains untouched since he left.
Stories of Loss and Longing
Maryam Noori Mohammedameen, 24, planned to join her fiance in the UK, while Mhabad Ali Ahmed, 32, was remembered as a wonderful mother. Her mother described being consumed by thoughts of her daughter waiting in icy water for help that never came. Mohammed Hussein Mohammedie, 19, was said to have been the last alive before rescue, with his father expressing unbearable pain.
Sirwan Alipour, 23, a mechanic from Iran, was recalled as funny and sociable. Fikiru Shiferaw Tekalegn, 43, left Ethiopia due to threats, leaving behind a daughter who was a daddy's girl. Niyat Ferede Yeshiwendim, 22, and Meron Hailu Gebrehiwet, 25, both from Tigray, Ethiopia, were victims of conflict, with families wishing to repatriate their bodies.
Halima Mohammed Shikh, 33, fled Somalia due to violence, with her brother vowing never to cross the Channel by ferry again. Relatives for some victims, such as Husain Tanha and Le Van Hau, did not provide statements, adding to the tragedy's complexity.
The Missing and Survivors
Four individuals remain missing, including Pshtiwan Rasul Farkha Hussein, 18, who supported his family from a young age. His father holds hope that he is still alive. Twana Mamand Mohammed, 18, and Zanyar Mustafa Mina, 20, are also unaccounted for, with families desperate for closure. Gomaa Gaber Mohamed Ahmed Nada, 42, is among those without family statements.
Survivors like Issa Mohamed Omar participated in the inquiry, providing crucial evidence. Their accounts underscore the human cost of migration and the urgent need for safer pathways.
The Cranston inquiry continues to shed light on this devastating event, reminding us that those lost were humans with dreams, families, and futures.
