Two women have died while attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK in a small boat, French authorities have confirmed.
Details of the Incident
The women were on a dinghy carrying 82 people off the coast of Neufchatel-Hardelot in the Pas-de-Calais region on Sunday morning. The boat departed from the south area of Neufchatel-Hardelot at around 1:30 am but began drifting out to sea after experiencing a technical issue.
According to media outlet France 24, Christophe Marx, secretary general of the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, told a press briefing that the boat ran aground on the beach, and the two women were found dead inside the vessel. The women are believed to be in their 20s and of Sudanese origin, though Marx added that an investigation and hearings will take place to determine their nationalities.
Injuries and Rescue Operation
French authorities reported that three people are in a state of "absolute emergency" with burns resulting from a mix of fuel and sea water, while 14 are in a state of "relative emergency," including five who were taken to hospital. The 17 migrants were taken aboard the French rescue vessel The Minck as part of a large-scale operation that also involved the French Gendarmerie’s coastal patrol vessel Armoise. They were brought back to the Boulogne-sur-Mer harbour at 4 am. The other migrants on board returned to the beach, where they were assisted by emergency services and security forces.
Investigation Launched
An investigation into the incident has been opened by the Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor’s office. French authorities stated: "All state services were mobilised to respond to this incident, with the involvement of the national gendarmerie, border police, aerial resources — including drones — the departmental fire and rescue service, as well as volunteers from Civil Protection, and resources co-ordinated by CROSS Gris-Nez under the authority of the Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea." They added: "Smuggling networks, driven by criminal motives and a total disregard for human life, continue to endanger vulnerable people by organising crossings in makeshift boats. The state maintains a firm response to these actions and, in co-ordination with the judicial authorities, continues its efforts to combat these networks."
Recent Tragedies
These deaths come just weeks after two men and two women drowned after being swept away by strong currents while trying to cross the Channel on April 9. Two migrants also died in a similar crossing attempt a week earlier on April 1, thought to be the first such deaths this year.
Migration Statistics
Latest Home Office figures show 325 migrants arrived in the UK in six boats on Saturday. This brings the total number of arrivals so far this year to 6,796, which is a drop of 41% compared to the same point last year (11,516) and 18% down on 2024 (8,278), according to Press Association analysis. However, it is 8% higher than the 6,280 arrivals at the same point in 2023.
On Saturday, the French coastguard rescued four people from two different boats who asked for help before the dinghies continued into British waters. In a translated statement, the maritime authority said a land patrol by security forces reported the first boat in the area of Merlimont beach, Pas-de-Calais. A coastal patrol boat was sent, and one person asked for help and was taken to the beach into the care of the fire department. A second boat was reported in the Onival beach area, where three people requested help and were rescued by officials and met on the beach by an ambulance.
Reaction
Reacting to the deaths, Imran Hussain of the Refugee Council said: "We know that it is desperation that drives refugees fleeing devastating war and brutal regimes into small boats, which is why the lack of safe and legal routes to the UK is a problem that needs fixing. The Government has said Sudan is the greatest humanitarian crisis facing the world, but a Sudanese refugee has no safe route to the UK, even if it is to join up with their family."
