PARIS, Nov 24 (Reuters) - British and French officials traded blame on Wednesday after 27 migrants died when their dinghy deflated as they made a perilous crossing of the English Channel.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was "shocked and appalled" by the deaths and called on France to do more to deter people from attempting the crossing.
President Emmanuel Macron said Britain needed to stop politicising the issue for domestic gain, while his interior minister, Gerald Darmanin, said Britain too had to be a part of the answer.
France had earlier stated 31 people lost their lives, but the number was later revised down to 27, government officials said.
In his statement, Johnson said he and Macron had agreed to step up efforts to prevent the crossings.
"To accuse only the smugglers is to hide the responsibility of the French and British authorities," said l'Auberge des Migrants, an advocacy group that supports refugees and displaced people