Eight Dead After Attempting to Cross English Channel from France to the UK

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At least eight people have died while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to the UK, according to French authorities. The incident occurred around 1am off the coast of Ambleteuse, a northern French town. Regional prefect Jacques Billant confirmed the loss of life during a press briefing.

Six survivors were rescued and hospitalised, including a 10-month-old baby with hypothermia. The boat, carrying 59 people from countries such as Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran, had set off from the Slack River area. The boat encountered difficulties and was torn apart on rocks, leading to the deaths.

This incident occurred two weeks after 12 people died when a boat capsized during another attempted Channel crossing. The number of migrant and refugee fatalities in the Channel has now risen to 37 in 2024, up from 12 in 2023.

Maritime authorities reported numerous attempts to cross the Channel, with 200 people rescued over a 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday. British officials have reported that more than 22,000 migrants and refugees have crossed the Channel into England since the start of the year.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron committed earlier this year to strengthen cooperation in addressing the rising number of undocumented migrants attempting to cross the Channel.

The highest loss of life in a single incident occurred in November 2021 when 27 people died after their boat capsized.