Eight individuals lost their lives in an attempted crossing of the English Channel from France to England, as confirmed by French police.
The incident occurred early in the morning after the boat encountered difficulties in the waters north of Boulogne-sur-Mer, within the Pas-de-Calais region.
The rubber vessel, carrying approximately 50 passengers, began to sink shortly after its departure from the French coast. Emergency services were alerted around 01:00 local time, but were unable to reach the distressed boat from the sea.
Upon arrival at the beach in Ambleteuse, first responders provided care for 53 individuals and regrettably confirmed the death of eight, with no additional survivors found during subsequent sea searches.
This tragic incident marks a distressing continuation of a larger crisis, as it follows a previous boating tragedy where 12 people, including children and a pregnant woman, perished in what has become the deadliest year for crossing attempts in the Channel.
To date, a total of 45 fatalities have been reported in the Channel in 2023, a staggering statistic underscoring the dangerous nature of these journeys and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed his condolences over the latest tragedies and emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts with European partners to combat the dangerous criminal networks that facilitate such crossings.
As maritime authorities monitor ongoing crossing attempts, with hundreds rescued recently, the focus remains on finding sustainable approaches to prevent further loss of life and enhance access to safe asylum routes.
