Two dead after migrant boat ‘with 50 people on board’ sinks in English Channel | World news

On October 23, 2024By Yukito

French maritime authorities said two people died after a boat carrying migrants sank in the English Channel.

The incident occurred this morning off the coast of Sangatte, near Calais.

An estimated 50 migrants fell into the water shortly after 8 a.m., about 2km from the coastline near Calais.

At least 46 people were rescued, but French authorities are still searching for others who are still in the water.

The UK Border Force also confirmed it was “actively engaging in search and rescue.”

After being rescued from the water, the two victims were given first aid, but doctors pronounced them dead after being taken to Calais.

The rescue operation began after a life jacket was noticed in the water.

The prosecutor’s office in nearby Boulogne-sur-Mer opened an investigation into the incident.

Due to the rescue operation, there are currently delays of up to 120 minutes on cross-Channel services from Dover to Calais. Currently, ships cannot enter or leave the port of Calais.

This year has been the deadliest on record for Channel crossings, with more than 50 deaths so far. Many drowned and others suffocated from the crush of so many people crammed into small, tight boats.

Her daughter died last week she “slipped” out of her father’s hands when the pontoon they were riding in capsized.

Home Office data shows that 26,000 people have reached the UK across the English Channel so far in 2024.