The mayor of Le Portel, a coastal town in France, reported a tragic incident where 13 migrants lost their lives when their boat tore apart while attempting to cross the English Channel. The vessel’s bottom ripped open, causing dozens of individuals to fall into the dangerous waters. A first aid post was established in the nearby fishing port of Boulogne-sur-Mer to assist the victims, as confirmed by Olivier Barbarin, the town mayor, describing it as a significant tragedy.
A maritime rescue official, speaking anonymously due to confidentiality, verified the death toll of at least 13 migrants. Etienne Baggio, a spokesperson for the French maritime prefecture responsible for the area, mentioned that over 10 people had perished but did not have an exact count. The distressed boat encountered difficulties off Gris-Nez point, according to the prefecture’s statement. It was reported that 61 individuals were rescued from the sea by emergency responders.
The sea temperature off the northern coast of France was approximately 20 degrees Celsius, equivalent to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, further adding to the challenging conditions faced by the migrants. The International Organization for Migration revealed that this year alone, at least 30 migrants have died or gone missing while attempting to reach the U.K. by crossing the English Channel. Recent data from the U.K. Home Office indicated that in the past seven days, 2,109 migrants had attempted the perilous journey on small boats.
The rise of strict asylum rules, increased xenophobia, and unwelcoming treatment of migrants in Europe have been cited as factors propelling individuals to seek refuge by heading northward. The tragic incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by migrants attempting these perilous sea crossings.
