France urged to hand over body of man who drowned in Channel

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 1, 2026

A British family is demanding that French authorities release the body of Jasmeet Wadhwa, who drowned trying to cross the English Channel from France to the UK in April alongside his mother. The family’s appeal highlights ongoing delays in repatriating deceased migrants and the difficulties survivors face, including the rejection of Wadhwa’s mother’s UK entry application amid strict immigration policies.

A British family is appealing to French authorities to release the body of their relative who drowned in the English Channel in April. Jasmeet Wadhwa, 32, died while attempting to reach the UK by small boat alongside his mother, Harbans Kaur Wadhwa, after fleeing Taliban persecution in Afghanistan earlier this year.

The pair had embarked on a perilous two-month journey under the control of people smugglers before arriving in northern France in mid-March. During the crossing on April 1, a Sudanese man, Nagmeldin Adam, 33, who was aboard the same dinghy, also lost his life. Eight other passengers, including Harbans Kaur Wadhwa, were rescued.

At least 16 people have died trying to cross the Channel so far in 2026. Relatives of both men joined a demonstration outside the Dunkirk courthouse on August 31 to protest the continued withholding of the bodies by French authorities. Members of the Wadhwa family traveled from the UK to participate in the protest.

Ivnit Singh Wadwa, Jasmeet Wadhwa’s cousin, expressed frustration with the French judicial system. “We shouldn’t have to fight to say goodbye,” he said, noting the family’s ongoing wait to properly lay Jasmeet to rest. French police and the interior ministry have not provided explanations for the delay in releasing the bodies.

Meanwhile, Harbans Kaur Wadhwa has applied to the UK Home Office to enter the country legally through the “one in, one out” scheme. This policy allows the UK to return one person arriving from France by small boat in exchange for permitting another person who has applied from northern France to enter legally. She aimed to join family members who had offered support and accommodation.

However, the Home Office rejected her application, citing concerns over the validity of the identity document she submitted. A spokesperson for the Home Office acknowledged the tragedy of Channel deaths and highlighted ongoing efforts to combat the criminal networks responsible for facilitating dangerous crossings. The spokesperson stated that the UK government continues to work closely with French and international partners to prevent such hazardous journeys.

The case underscores the complex and sensitive issues surrounding migration across the Channel, the treatment of those who perish during these attempts, and the legal challenges faced by survivors seeking safe entry into the UK.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.