At least ten people have died: initial reports
At least ten people have died after a boat capsized in the English Channel, according to initial reports.
👇🔴 Au moins dix migrants ont perdu la vie après un naufrage en Manche. Plusieurs autres seraient toujours en urgence absolue.https://t.co/AdrzCJSbHx
— La Voix du Nord (@lavoixdunord) September 3, 2024
Key events
Diane Taylor
Responding to news about the sinking of a small boat in the Channel and reports of several deaths, Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, said that “we are heartbroken by the tragic deaths in the latest incident in the Channel.”
The number of deaths in the Channel this year has been shockingly high. It is a devastating trend that shows the urgent need for a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach to reduce dangerous Channel crossings.
Enforcement alone is not the solution. Heightened security and policing measures on the French coast have led to increasingly perilous crossings, launching from more dangerous locations and in flimsy, overcrowded vessels.
In addition to taking action against the criminal gangs themselves, the Government must develop a plan to improve and expand safe routes for those seeking safety.
An official told AFP that a ship had spotted the boat in difficulty with more than 60 people on board and came to its aid.
La Voix du Nord’s Florent Caffery has shared footage from the scene where emergency services are gathering.
Le ballet des véhicules n’arrête pas à Boulogne… Les pompes funèbres viennent d’arriver. Au moins 10 personnes sont décédées dans la Manche, d’autres sont en urgence absolue. Le ministre de l’intérieur est attendu sur place en fin d’après-midi 🗞️ @lavoixdunord pic.twitter.com/hDQeu22flk
— Florent Caffery (@flocaffery) September 3, 2024
French authorities have confirmed at least five people died in a Channel crossing attempt, AFP reported.
France’s outgoing interior minister, Gérald Darmanin, is expected on the scene, CNews reported.
Rajeev Syal
Today’s incident took place in French waters, and UK search and rescue boats are on standby, it is understood.
Local paper La Voix du Nord reports that there were around 70 people on the boat that sank.
Angelique Chrisafis
The rescue operation is taking place off the coast at Le Portel, a town of around 9,000 people south of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Rescue workers were deployed at around 11:30am French time, according to France 3 local television.
Olivier Barbarin, the town’s mayor, said that 10 people were in a serious condition, the channel reported.
Some people who had been on board the boat were brought to Boulogne-sur-Mer, others were lifted by helicopter to Le Portel.
At least ten people have died: initial reports
At least ten people have died after a boat capsized in the English Channel, according to initial reports.
👇🔴 Au moins dix migrants ont perdu la vie après un naufrage en Manche. Plusieurs autres seraient toujours en urgence absolue.https://t.co/AdrzCJSbHx
— La Voix du Nord (@lavoixdunord) September 3, 2024
A French coast guard spokesperson has confirmed that over 50 people were being rescued in the channel and are in need of medical treatment, Reuters reported.
10 people are in critical condition, the spokesperson said.
50 people are involved and ten are in critical condition, BFMTV reports, as a large rescue operation is under way in Boulogne-sur-Mer after a boat carrying migrants sank.
Search-and-rescue operation ongoing in English Channel
A large search-and-rescue operation is under way in the English Channel after a boat capsized, TV channel France 3 said, Reuters reported.
About 10 people are in state of cardiac arrest, according to a local official.
