At least three migrants died Sunday while attempting to cross the English Channel from northern France to Britain, authorities confirmed. The fatalities followed a rescue operation involving French emergency services and the navy’s “Dauphin” helicopter.
Around 50 individuals were stranded in the water and on the beach near Sangatte around 6 a.m., according to the Pas-de-Calais prefecture. Rescuers aided 45 people, including four who were transported to nearby hospitals.
Despite efforts by medical teams, three individuals pulled from the water in an unconscious state could not be revived.
An investigation has been opened by prosecutors in Boulogne-sur-Mer. Authorities suspect the tragedy may have been caused by an overcrowded boat, a frequent factor in such incidents.
“There were more people attempting to board than the boat could hold,” said Jacques Billant, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, during a Sunday press conference.
The incident highlights a surge in Channel crossing attempts as 2024 nears its end. Officials have recorded increased activity in recent days despite freezing water temperatures and hazardous sea conditions.
“Since Dec. 24, 23 maritime incidents have been thwarted by internal security forces, saving over 1,000 lives,” Billant said. “Yet crossing attempts persist, and with icy waters, survival time in such conditions is very short.”
This year has been one of the deadliest for migrants making the perilous journey across one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. At least 76 migrant deaths have been reported in the English Channel in 2024, officials said.
Billant condemned human trafficking networks for endangering lives by using unsafe, overcrowded boats.
“These are low-quality boats put into the water solely for profit by criminal networks that have no regard for the lives of children, women, and men,” he said.
Last month, a French court convicted 18 individuals involved in a migrant-smuggling operation, exposing the lucrative but often deadly business of transporting migrants across the Channel.
Despite joint French and British efforts to curb crossings, the route remains a key smuggling corridor for people fleeing conflict or poverty. Many migrants favor the U.K. due to language familiarity, family ties, or perceived access to asylum and employment opportunities.
AP
