One dead after migrant boat sinks off French coast

One person has died, and 61 others have been rescued after an overloaded boat carrying migrants sank while attempting to cross the English Channel overnight, French authorities have confirmed.

The incident occurred near Boulogne-sur-Mer, prompting a large-scale rescue operation by both French and British forces. The Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea said the vessel broke apart during the crossing, triggering an urgent response, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

The French assistance and rescue intervention tug (RIAS) Abeille Normandie deployed three speedboats to recover 50 people. Meanwhile, two others were rescued by an RNLI lifeboat from Dungeness, and nine more were picked up by the British Border Force vessel Ranger. All were later transferred to the French tug.

A French Navy Dauphin helicopter also spotted an unconscious person in the sea, who was recovered by the RNLI and taken to Abeille. The individual was pronounced dead by the medical team onboard.

Among the rescued was a child and his mother, both suffering from hypothermia. They were airlifted to hospital by helicopter. The remaining survivors were brought ashore at Boulogne-sur-Mer. No further details about their condition have been released.

The tragedy comes amid a surge in migrant crossings. According to official figures, over 12,000 people have crossed the Channel so far this year. In the week leading up to May 17 alone, 1,125 individuals arrived in the UK via small boats.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling illegal crossings, pledging to “Smash The Gangs” — a campaign aimed at targeting people smugglers and small boat crossings. 

By Sabina Mammadli