English Channel horror as five migrants die in crossing attempt with child feared to be among victims
FIVE migrants have died in an attempt to cross the English Channel today, authorities have confirmed.
A child is feared to be among the dead after the failed attempt to cross the Channel this morning.
They had been crossing from an area near the town of Wimereux, local newspaper La Voix du Nord said.
Authorities say at least five people have died and one is injured – adding there were several “lifeless bodies”.
The coast guard spokesperson said its agents were still operating at sea on Tuesday morning after what the official called a “busy” morning, with several crossing attempts.
An emergency operation was launched by the French coastguard and by 11am at least five people were reported drowned off the coast at Boulogne sur Mer.
About 100 migrants have been rescued and placed aboard a French navy ship. They will be taken to the port of Boulogne.
Witnesses say the father of a four-year-old girl is among the survivors, and was seen in tears on the beach.
It’s believed at least one child is among the dead, according to a local charity.
Olivier Ternicien, president of Osmose 62, which is based at Boulogne, said: “A child has died. A third helicopter has just arrived, we fear the worst.”
Most of those on board were paying the equivalent of up to £1000 per head for a voyage, meaning a single boat could be worth £100,000 to a smuggler.
By 11am, funeral directors could be seen collecting bodies around Boulogne, as migrants suffering from conditions such as hypothermia were taken to hosptial.
The Channel between France and Britain is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and currents are strong, making the crossing on small boats dangerous.
People smugglers typically overload rickety dinghies, leaving them barely afloat and at risk of being lashed by the waves as they try to reach British shores.
Illegal migration minister Michael Tomlinson said reports of further deaths in the English Channel were “absolutely chilling”.
Asked about the reports on ITV‘s Good Morning Britain, he said: “It is absolutely chilling to hear that.
“We have had fatalities now in the Channel for nine consecutive months.”
Tragedies have to stop, Cleverly says
Following the reports of deaths in the English Channel, Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “These tragedies have to stop.
“I will not accept a status quo which costs so many lives.
“This Government is doing everything we can to end this trade, stop the boats and ultimately break the business model of the evil people smuggling gangs, so they no longer put lives at risk.”
MP Robert Jenrick added: “This is another intolerable tragedy. It’s a scandal these death traps masquerading as boats are travelling uninterrupted across the EU.
“EU must finally grant member states legal cover to seize these unseaworthy boats that are costing precious lives.”
The deaths take the number of recorded fatalities in the Channel in 2024 to 14.
The last fatality in the Channel happened on March 3 when a schoolgirl, seven, died.
The girl was among 16 migrants who had to be pulled from the water, but could not be saved.
And on February 28, three migrants died after falling into the water off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez, northern France, in an attempted crossing.
Meanwhile, on January 14 five migrants died while trying to make the treacherous journey across the 21-mile Dover Straits.
Home Office figures showed that more than 2,000 migrants have arrived in the UK this year after making the journey from France.
It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is scrambling to get deportation flights going to Rwanda in a bid to deter small boat journeys.