Three migrants tragically lost their lives on Sunday morning while attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat, according to the French coastguard.
The incident occurred near Sangatte, close to Calais, at around 06:00 local time (05:00 GMT), when people fell into the water while boarding the vessel.
The deceased individuals were recovered from the water by helicopter, while 45 others were rescued and treated on the beach. Many suffered from hypothermia, and four were transported to the hospital for further care.
Dame Angela Eagle, Minister for Border Security and Asylum, blamed “ruthless criminals” for overloading migrants onto unsafe vessels. She emphasized the government’s commitment to dismantling these human trafficking networks and supporting French authorities in their efforts.
Sangatte’s mayor, Guy Allemand, expressed frustration, stating, “It’s crossing after crossing, without any let-up.” He also noted that seven survivors required intensive medical care following the incident.
The French coastguard has confirmed that search operations are ongoing at sea to locate any remaining survivors.
The UK Home Office acknowledged the incident occurred in French waters, with French authorities leading the rescue and investigation efforts.
Pierre-Henri Dumont, an MP for the Pas-de-Calais region, warned of the extreme dangers of attempting to cross the Channel, particularly during winter. He explained that even a few minutes in the icy waters can be fatal, despite swift rescue operations.
This tragic event comes during a record-breaking Christmas period, with 1,485 people crossing the Channel over the past four days. Over 36,000 migrants have made the dangerous journey in small boats this year, surpassing last year’s total of 29,437, according to government data.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a UN agency, reports that 77 people have died attempting to cross the Channel in 2024.
The French coastguard noted that several other boats were reported to have set sail from the coast on Sunday, further underscoring the ongoing crisis.