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Priti Patel said today, one a visit to the Thames Valley Police training centre: 'It is a tragedy. It is an absolute tragedy, it really is'
Priti Patel today said the deaths of up to three migrants who are feared to have drowned in the Channel after trying to reach Britain by boat was an 'absolute tragedy'.
The individuals are still unaccounted for after trying to cross from France to the UK in a dinghy earlier this week.
Two men - both Somali nationals - were rescued off the Essex coast on Monday and searches for any remaining survivors have now been called off.
Speaking today while visiting the Thames Valley Police Training Centre in Reading, Priti Patel said: 'It is a tragedy. It is an absolute tragedy, it really is.
'Clearly there are investigations taking place right now so we have to let that investigation process occur.
'But I can give everyone solid, solid assurance that my work with both France and other counterparts as well is very much based on stopping the loss of life.'
Asked what she would say to their families, Ms Patel said: 'It is terrible, it is tragic and it is absolutely appalling.
'We want to stop the loss of human life, and everything that we are doing as a Government is focusing on ensuring that we work in joint co-operation with other governments and
