Four migrants have died after their boat capsized while attempting to cross the English Channel, the French coastguard reported.
The incident occurred overnight when a navy patrol boat was alerted to migrants falling into the sea off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France. Despite rescue efforts by the coastguard, a helicopter, and a fishing vessel, four individuals found unconscious could not be saved. Sixty-three others were rescued.
So far this year, over 13,000 people have crossed the English Channel. On June 18, a record 882 people crossed in 15 small boats, marking the highest single-day total since October 2022. This week alone, 484 migrants made the crossing on Monday and Tuesday.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the new Labour government has unveiled plans to address the small boat crossings. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced the forthcoming appointment of a leader for the UK’s new Border Security Command, aimed at reducing these dangerous attempts.
