LILLE: At least six passengers are reported dead, and several others are missing when a boat carrying migrants bound for Britain capsized in the treacherous waters of the Channel early Saturday. French maritime officials are tirelessly conducting search and rescue operations to locate the missing individuals.
According to a spokesperson from the French coastal authority Premar, between five and 10 passengers are still missing, while a total of 55 individuals have been successfully rescued. The tragic incident occurred around 2 am local time off the northern coast of France near Sangatte.
Tragically, the first victim, a young man of Afghan origin aged between 25 and 30 years old, was airlifted to a hospital in Calais but succumbed to his injuries. Additionally, five other individuals who were initially in critical condition and transported to Calais on a lifeboat were declared dead upon the ship’s arrival, as confirmed by the Premar spokesperson.
The search and rescue efforts have involved a coordinated response, with three French ships, a helicopter, and a plane scouring the area, alongside two British ships. The local prosecutor’s office is leading the investigation into the incident.
Dangerous Journey of Migrants
The perilous journey across the Channel has claimed the lives of numerous migrants in recent years, as they attempt to reach the shores of Britain from France. Since 2018, over 100,000 migrants have embarked on this treacherous route using small boats, with the latest tragedy marking another grim chapter in this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne expressed her condolences on X (formerly known as Twitter), extending her sympathies to the victims and praising the dedication of the rescue teams involved in the operation.
In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, both French and British authorities are intensifying their efforts to prevent such tragedies from recurring. Increased patrols and deterrent measures have been implemented, with London pledging significant financial support to Paris to aid in addressing the crisis.
