Two men arrested in Hillingdon over death of young girl who tried to cross Channel

TWO men wanted in connection with the death of a young girl who died trying to cross the Channel were arrested in London.

Musaab Bashir Altijani, 19, and Al Tahir Abdullah Adam, 24, both Sudanese nationals, were both remanded into custody after being brought by police to Westminster Magistrate' Court after earlier being held on European Arrest Warrants which state the alleged offence is murder.

The court, sitting on Saturday, remanded them into custody ahead of bail applications saying they were "likely to abscond" due to the "nature and seriousness of the offence."

In the case of Adam, the court said it was also due to his "recent offending" and having a "lack of community ties in the UK."

The cases were adjourned until later this month.

A National Crime Agency (NCA) spokesman said: "Officers have arrested two men wanted by the French authorities over the death a young girl who was attempting to cross the Channel in a small boat.

"The youngster died after she boarded the vessel on a beach near Wimereux on 23 April. The boat continued on into UK waters and those on board were brought to shore.

"The pair, Sudanese nationals aged 19 and 24, were detained by the NCA at an address in the Hillingdon area of London on Thursday 30 May.

"They are wanted by the French authorities on suspicion of causing the death."

NCA Deputy Director of investigations Craig Turner said: “These arrests are the result of an investigation led by the French authorities and supported by the NCA alongside other law enforcement partners.

“We said at the time of this tragic incident that we were determined to do all we can to identify those responsible for this event and bring them to justice, that remains the case.”