Jalandhar youth missing after boat capsizes in English Channel while attempting to enter UK via donkey route

PTC Web Desk: A 24-year-old youth from Punjab’s Jalandhar district has gone missing after a boat carrying around 80 migrants capsized in the English Channel while attempting to cross from France to the United Kingdom through the illegal “donkey route.” The missing youth has been identified as Arwinder Singh, a resident of Bhatnura Lubana village in Jalandhar. According to reports, the tragedy occurred on October 1, and the family was informed the next day by another survivor from the boat, who hails from Kapurthala district.

Arwinder’s younger brother, Ashwinder Singh, said his brother had left for Portugal on May 18 this year on a work permit visa and was residing there legally. However, he later came in contact with a few other youths who convinced him to attempt the risky journey to the UK via the illegal route.

He said initially, his brother planned to travel by truck, but the operator refused. Later, the group decided to take a boat. They tried to stop him when they learned about his plan. The boat carried about 80 persons, including five youths from Punjab.

The family has not received any updates about Arwinder’s whereabouts since the incident. Authorities are reportedly in touch with Indian embassies in Europe to gather more information about the missing migrants and to support their families in Punjab.