Migrants repeatedly cross the English Channel in rubber dinghies to reach Great Britain. Accidents often occur. Now several people have died during a crossing.
Four migrants died off the northern French coast while attempting to cross to Great Britain. After their boat capsized near the port city of Boulogne, emergency services rescued several migrants from the English Channel during the night. They were unable to help four people who were already unconscious.
A patrol spotted the overcrowded boat
A rubber dinghy carrying them and dozens of other people capsized off the coast, the prefecture responsible for northern France said. A navy patrol boat had previously spotted the overcrowded boat early in the morning, and several of the passengers had fallen into the water.
The coast guard was able to rescue 63 people, it was said. Ships and a helicopter from the navy and a fishing boat were also involved in the operation. The survivors were brought to shore, given medical treatment and housed in temporary accommodation.
By 2024, 19 people had already died during the crossing
Migrants repeatedly cross the English Channel to reach Great Britain. They often make the journey in small rubber dinghies. The crossing is dangerous, not least because the channel is used by many large ships. A total of 19 people have already died on the crossings this year.
According to the British government, more than 12,300 migrants reached the English coast between January and mid-June. This represents an increase of 18 percent compared to the same period last year.
