Five migrants die in Channel trying to reach UK after boat carrying 70 overturns
Five migrants have died trying to cross the Channel.
The BBC and local media reported that around 70 people had been trying to get into a small boat, to launch from a beach in the dark and cold temperatures when it overturned.
Dozens were pulled from the water during overnight rescue efforts in Wimereux, south of Calais. But tragically, five people are said to have died - with local authorities reportedly saying they were Iraqi and Syrian people who passed.
"They got into trouble at around 2am," said a French emergency services source. "Four migrants were found dead at the scene by rescuers, and the body of a fifth was found on the beach later on Sunday. A sixth in is in intensive care in hospital." A French tugboat found the bodies in the sea, with her skipper reporting the first migrant deaths in the Channel in 2024.
One other person was said to have been seriously injured and rushed to a nearby hospital. AFP reported that the boat got in trouble almost immediately after leaving France around 2am local time. As dozens tried to clamber onto the vessel they quickly "found themselves in difficult at sea to reach the boat", it was said.
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The boat was provided by people smugglers, police believe, meaning a criminal enquiry was launched into the tragedies.
Boulogne prefect Patrick Lévérino said: "It was a walker who found the body on the beach at around 9am. Some 72 people were rescued in all, including the one in hospital."
There was a heavy emergency services response after the incident in the early hours of this morningA Home Office spokesperson said: "We can confirm there has been an incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters. Our thoughts are with all those involved. French authorities are leading the response and investigation. We will not be commenting further at this stage."
La Void du Nord, a local paper, reported that around 50 firefighters and several police vehicles were deployed to help with a number of the survivors being taken to a local community centre to be cared for.
The paper quoted a young man who had been onboard who said, via translator, "we drowned right away" - describing their journey. A French naval helicopter was also deployed with a searchlight to try and find the people trapped at sea as several boats went out as well.
Due to the location of the tragedy, there has been no HM Coastguard involvement. The first body was found around 2.30am, that of a man, and a second was found soon after. All four dead are believed to have been young adults. In total, a reported 72 people were looked after in the aftermath, with around ten of them young children.
Five people have tragically died in the incidentMinisters have been informed that a number of migrants died in the Channel in an attempt to launch from the French waters, the PA news agency understands. A source said they were told that around 30 people were returned to land after the boat got into trouble as people were trying to board it just off a French beach.
By around 5am local time, the rescue operation was still ongoing with the French navy helicopter and several boats still scouring for anyone else. Those rescued included mothers and children, who were suffering from hypothermia.
Labour leader Keir Starmer told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: "My first reaction is a human reaction. This is a tragic loss of life. There will be family members and friends grieving at the awful way in which these four individuals lost their lives. I don’t know the details, in a sense we don’t need to know the details. To lose your life in a small dinghy or boat in the winter sea in the Channel is just awful."
Asked if the incident made the case for radical action like the Rwanda plan as argued by Lord Cameron, Sir Keir replied: "I think he is wrong about that. I absolutely agree that we need to stop these Channel crossings. They are dangerous, we have lost control of our borders, and we need to do something to stop the boats. Now I think the starting place for that is to go after the criminal gangs that are running this vile trade."
Speaking to the BBC, Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: "It's heartbreaking when these things happen and the loss of life. You can only think about what an appalling end it would be and the cold waters of the Channel in the middle of the night - it breaks my heart to hear about it. It just shows we've got to stop the boats, we've got to trade this illegal trade in human beings. Ultimately the only way you can stop the boats is busting the model of the people smugglers."
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Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “We are deeply saddened by the terrible loss of life in the Channel today. Our thoughts are with the victims and the friends and families directly affected by this tragedy. The sad reality is that this is not the first time we are waking up to such devastating news. With no meaningful commitment from the Government to expand safe routes for refugees, it’s only a matter of time before tragedy strikes again.
"This must act as a wake-up call to take decisive action and reduce dangerous Channel crossings by providing safe routes for those fleeing war-torn countries or repressive regimes. Rather than pushing ahead with unlawful and costly policies such as the Rwanda plan, the Government must put in place safe routes and seek to treat refugees and people seeking asylum with compassion and fairness in line with our country’s values."
This comes after yesterday saw a group of people cross the Channel for the first time this year. The arrivals were the first in 27 days, which marks the longest gap in five years. Home Office figures hadn't recorded any arrivals since December 16 until this weekend.
Last year saw the second highest number of crossings on record, with the provisional figure standing at 29,437. Meanwhile, Tory MPs continue to squabble and put pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over the Rwanda bill as he tried to revive the plan after it was ruled unlawful.
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