PARIS (AP) — A tragic incident unfolded in northern France when a small boat carrying migrants attempting to cross the English Channel ran aground on a beach, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and leaving 16 others injured. Among the injured, three suffered from severe burns. This unfortunate event occurred on Sunday, highlighting the continued dangers faced by migrants seeking to reach the United Kingdom.
The boat, which set out overnight from Hardelot beach, located just a few kilometers south of the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, was carrying a total of 82 people. According to Christophe Marx, the secretary-general of the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, the vessel's engine failed, causing it to drift aimlessly. A French maritime gendarmerie vessel successfully rescued 17 individuals and transported them to Boulogne-sur-Mer, while the makeshift craft ultimately ran aground with 65 remaining aboard.
The two deceased individuals were women believed to be in their 20s, originating from Sudan. Preliminary reports suggest they may have succumbed to suffocation, as Marx indicated that they were likely “crushed or asphyxiated,” a recurring tragedy in overpacked boats. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy is currently underway, while the conditions of the three individuals suffering from burns, caused by fuel at the bottom of the boat, have been described as very serious.
This incident marks the third fatal occurrence involving migrants attempting the perilous journey to the U.K. within a little over a month. In the previous month, two men and two women lost their lives while trying to board an inflatable boat off the coast of northern France. In connection with that case, British authorities apprehended a Sudanese man on suspicions of endangering life. Additionally, two more casualties were reported a week prior, again highlighting the risks migrants face near the coastal areas north of Calais.
In an attempt to address the alarming trend of migrant crossings, the governments of the U.K. and France entered into a new multimillion-euro agreement last month. This pact aims to reduce the number of individuals attempting to traverse the English Channel, which includes increased police patrols and enhanced surveillance measures in northern France. Despite these efforts, the number of migrants successfully reaching the U.K. has not seen a complete decline. So far this year, over 6,000 migrants have arrived in the U.K. following a Channel crossing, representing a 36% decrease compared to the same period last year. This reduction may partially be attributed to the prevailing unsettled weather conditions.
Before the latest incident on Sunday, the migrant aid organization Utopia 56 reported that at least 172 people had lost their lives at the French-U.K. border over the past three years, with 123 fatalities occurring at sea alone. These grim statistics underscore the perilous nature of the journey many migrants undertake in their hope of reaching safety and better prospects in the U.K.
