Eight people have died overnight attempting to cross the Channel from France to England, according to French police. Rescue services were alerted after a rubber boat carrying around 50 people encountered difficulties in waters north of Boulogne-sur-Mer in the Pas-de-Calais region just after 01:00 local time (00:00 BST).
The vessel began sinking shortly after departing from the coast. This incident follows the recent tragedy in which 12 people, including six children and a pregnant woman, lost their lives when a boat sank in the deadliest Channel crossing of the year.
The French coast guard reported that the boat was heading towards a beach in Ambleteuse, but rescue teams were unable to assist from the sea. Onshore, emergency services treated 53 survivors and confirmed eight deaths. No additional people were found during subsequent sea searches.
An investigation has been launched by the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office. A UK government spokesperson confirmed the incident, noting that French authorities are leading the response and investigation.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the situation as “awful” and expressed sorrow over the “further loss of life” in the Channel. He highlighted the dangers associated with the small rubber dinghies used for these crossings and reiterated the government’s commitment to working with European partners to combat people-smuggling gangs and deter such dangerous voyages.
Regional prefect Jacques Billant is scheduled to hold a news conference in Ambleteuse. The recent spell of calmer weather has led to a surge in crossing attempts, with French maritime authorities rescuing 200 people over a 24-hour period on Friday and Saturday. This includes rescues from four separate boats, with 61, 55, 48, and 36 people aboard each vessel.
Eighteen attempted crossings were monitored by authorities over the course of the day.
Including the eight latest victims, a total of 45 people have died in the Channel this year – the highest reported number since 2021, according to the UN’s International Organisation for Migration.
More than 21,000 people have crossed the Channel this year.
Amnesty International UK said the latest incident was “yet another appalling and avoidable tragedy”.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, said the deaths were not “inevitable” and a comprehensive approach to reduce crossings was needed.
“Enforcement alone is not the solution,” he said, adding that there needed to be improved access to safe asylum routes.
