Zana Mamand Mohammad initially believed his much loved 18-year-old brother, Twana, had crossed the Channel safely in the early hours of 24 November 2021.
When the police officer, from a Kurdish area of northern Iraq, realised that Twana was among the casualties, in a sinking that since been declared the deadliest Channel disaster for more than 40 years, his life changed for ever.
The 34-year-old said: “Since that moment I have been unable to work. Twana’s body has never been found. Our mother still has hope that he is somehow alive somewhere, so I have been visiting different countries in Europe looking for him just in case he survived but hasn’t been able to make contact with us.
“Our mother believes 70% that he is still alive and 30% that he is dead. I believe 99% that he is dead but 1% that he is still alive. So I must continue to search for him with that 1% of hope I still have.”
Twana was one of four on board the dinghy whose bodies have never been found. He was a Manchester City fan and a black belt in Taekwondo. He had tried six times to cross the Channel before the final, fatal, attempt.
“In some ways it would be better if we had his body because then we would know for sure he has left this Earth and we could have a funeral for him in our town,” said Zana.
Families of 21 of those who died or went missing have signed a letter to the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, asking why they have had no answers about the tragedy almost two years after it happened.
The letter states: “On that night our hearts were broken by the English sea. Our loved ones died in a cold, dark stretch of water between France and England, when no one came to their rescue despite their desperate pleas for help. Not a day goes by when we do not mourn the loss of our children, siblings, parents and partners.
“We know from the MAIB [Marine Accident Investigation Branch] report published today that more coastguard staff, more surveillance of the Channel, and more rescue boats had been planned [to be introduced] leading up to this night. The MAIB report creates more questions than answers.
“This tragedy could have been prevented, and the UK government must do everything they can to fully and publicly investigate what happened to prevent such tragedy from happening again. Without truth there can be no justice. The government must act now.”
Maria Thomas, of Duncan Lewis solicitors, representing one of the two survivors and families of 18 people who died in the 24 November sinking, said: “On 30 May 2022 the secretary of state for transport conceded that an Article 2, ECHR-compliant investigation into the tragic events of 24 November 2021 is required. It is critical that the UK government promptly takes steps to give effect to the commitment made.”
Zana said: “The British government don’t care about us. We just want justice but after two years we’ve got nothing. Eight people from our country they found dead bodies for, and three people are still missing, they couldn’t find them. [From the time] Twana was very little he had gone everywhere with me except when he was at school.
“Despite what happened in that drowning people are still fleeing from this area. People are still trying to find their life, that’s why they continue to leave. Now after two years I am asking for justice, proper justice with no negligence.
“We are angry with Britain because they don’t listen to us. They haven’t responded to any of our emails. I wanted to have a meeting with the British embassy in Iraq. They ignored us. My sister and I twice emailed the Home Office, they ignored us. If I need to dedicate my whole life to getting justice for my brother I will do it.”
