One dead, more than 60 rescued, after migrant boat sinks off French coast
Among the survivors was a child and his mother suffering hypothermia, who were airlifted to hospital by helicopter, while the others were taken to the quay in Boulogne-sur-Mer, around 19 miles (30km) south of Calais.
Monday 19 May 2025 07:49, UK
One person has died after a boat carrying migrants sank while attempting to cross the English Channel, according to French officials.
The Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea said 61 survivors had been rescued overnight and taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer after their "overloaded boat" broke up.
The French assistance and rescue intervention tug (RIAS) Abeille Normandie deployed three speedboats to recover 50 people.
Two more were rescued by an RNLI lifeboat from Dungeness, and another nine by the British vessel Border Force Ranger - they were all transferred to the Abeille.
In addition, an unconscious person was spotted in the water by a French Navy helicopter and recovered by the RNLI lifeboat. They were transferred to the French tug but declared dead by the medical team on board.
Among the survivors was a child and his mother suffering hypothermia, who were airlifted to hospital by helicopter, while the others were taken to the quay in Boulogne-sur-Mer, around 19 miles (30km) south of Calais.
There has been no update about their condition.
A UK government spokesman said: "We can confirm there has been a tragic incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters which has resulted in the loss of one life.
"This latest tragedy underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings, and we continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people. Our thoughts are with those affected."
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Recent figures show the number of people crossing the Channel has continued to rise, passing the 12,000 mark last week.
The most recent figures on crossings show that 1,125 people were recorded arriving in the UK by small boat in the last seven days until 17 May.
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Sir Keir Starmer has committed his government to "Smash The Gangs", referring to a campaign of targeting people smugglers and small boat crossings, which remain at a record high this year.
On Tuesday, the prime minister sparked a backlash from some of his MPs after arguing that Britain "risked becoming an island of strangers" if immigration levels are not cut.
He plans to reduce net migration - the difference between immigration and emigration - by the end of this parliament in 2029.