A man wanted in connection with the deaths of at least 27 people who drowned attempting to cross the Channel has been extradited to France to face trial.

Harem Ahmed Abwbaker was tracked down by National Crime Agency investigators to a hotel in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, when he was arrested on November 29 last year.

The 32-year-old is alleged to be a significant member of the organised crime group who conspired to transport the asylum seekers to the UK in a small boat in November 2021.

It sank after leaving the French coastline, which led to the deaths of all but two of those aboard and four people remain missing.

Abwbaker consented to extradition on June 28 and was taken back to France on Friday where he will now face manslaughter, human trafficking, and organised crime charges before the French courts.

NCA deputy director Craig Turner said: “The NCA are working closely with our French partners to investigate this Channel dinghy tragedy.

“We remain determined to get justice for the families of those whose lives were lost.

“Tackling people smuggling remains a priority for us, and we continue to disrupt and dismantle the cruel organised criminal networks involved.”

In December 2021, KentOnline approached Facebook users who had reacted with laughing emojis to news of the 27 asylum seekers drowning in the Channel.

Harrowing call logs released last year revealed how the British and French coastguards spoke to each other, passing the buck over and over as the tragedy unfolded.

Fifteen calls were made to the French and a boat was sent by the British but found nothing.

Those struggling in the water were falsely told help was on its way.

Within half an hour of the last call being made the French closed their mission, assuming help was no longer needed or the group had already been rescued.

Nine hours later a French fisherman discovered a deflated grey dinghy, two terrified young men moments from death and the bodies of men, women and children bobbing on the surface.