A tragic incident has occurred as a boat carrying migrants encountered trouble while trying to cross the English Channel near Boulogne-sur-Mer, leading to the loss of one life. French authorities have confirmed the details.
According to the Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea, 61 individuals were rescued overnight after their boat foundered.
The French assistance and rescue intervention tug (RIAS) Abeille Normandie managed to save 50 individuals from the disaster. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) rescued two people, while the Border Force picked up another nine. All these survivors were then transferred to the Abeille.
Further, an unconscious person was spotted in the water by a helicopter and subsequently rescued by the RNLI lifeboat. However, upon being transferred to the French tug, the medical team on board pronounced this individual deceased.
Among the survivors was a child and his mother, who were suffering from hypothermia. They were airlifted to a hospital for treatment, while the remaining survivors were taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Recent statistics indicate a continuous increase in the number of people attempting to cross the Channel, with numbers surpassing 10,000 by the end of April.
Sir Keir Starmer’s government has pledged to intensify efforts to “Smash The Gangs” involved in people smuggling. These gangs are exploiting desperate individuals seeking asylum in the UK via small boat crossings.
This breaking news story will be updated shortly with additional information.
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