Eight dead after migrants cross Channel – French authorities

The French coast guard said the boat involved in the incident reported on Sunday was heading for a beach in the town of Ambleteuse, but rescue teams from the sea were unable to provide assistance.

After getting into trouble, it was driven onto rocks where it broke apart.

Rescue workers treated 53 people on the beach and confirmed that eight had died, the coast guard said. Six people were taken to hospital, including a hypothermic baby.

No other people were found during the search at sea.

The Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor's office has launched an investigation.

A British government spokesman confirmed the latest incident and said French authorities would lead the response and investigation.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said it was “terrible” to hear of “further loss of life” in the Channel.

On the show “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg” he said that many people “naturally did not manage” to cross the canal after seeing the type of dinghies people were using there.

He also reiterated the government's plan to work with European partners to combat criminal smuggling gangs and prevent crossings with small boats.

With the onset of calmer weather conditions, there have been numerous attempts to cross the Channel over the last two days.

On Saturday, around 801 people crossed the Channel – the second highest daily number this year, according to preliminary figures from the Interior Ministry. On June 18, the number was 882 people.

French maritime authorities said 200 people were rescued within 24 hours between Friday and Saturday.

The French coast guard and other first responders rescued people aboard four different boats – one with 61, another with 55 and two more with 48 and 36 people respectively.

During the course of the day, 18 attempts to cross the border were monitored by the authorities.

Including the eight most recent victims, a total of 45 people have died in the English Channel this year, according to the United Nations International Organization for Migration – the highest reported number since 2021.