At least eight people died during a failed attempt to cross the English Channel from northern France, French maritime authorities said. The tragedy occurred when a boat, carrying dozens, ran aground near a beach in Ambleteuse. A French rescue ship was deployed, and medical assistance was provided to 53 migrants on the beach. Despite efforts, eight people died, and six were taken to hospital, including a 10-month-old baby with hypothermia. The survivors are from Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Iran.
The inflatable boat, carrying 59 people, set sail from Vimont and ran aground soon after, leaving the survivors in distress. Fifty-one survivors have been taken to a reception center in Toulouse, and an investigation has been opened into the incident by the prosecutor’s office in Boulogne-sur-mer. This incident follows the death of 12 migrants two weeks ago, also on the English Channel. British officials expressed sadness over the tragedy and pledged to crack down on criminal gangs involved in human trafficking.
Strict asylum rules, xenophobia, and hostility towards migrants in Europe have been pushing them to seek refuge further north. At least 46 migrants have died trying to cross to the U.K. this year, and a significant number have successfully made the journey. However, the risks are high, with frequent attempts from France to Britain, especially in stormy weather conditions. French maritime authorities have warned against crossing the Channel in perilous conditions and overloaded boats.
In previous months, several tragic incidents have occurred involving migrants trying to cross the English Channel. In July, four migrants died when their inflatable boat capsized, and five others, including a child, died in April. Five more bodies were recovered after a boat ran into difficulties in January. The treacherous waters and difficult weather conditions make the journey extremely dangerous for those attempting to cross. The situation has drawn attention to the need for more effective measures to prevent further tragedies in the future.
