Europe28 September, 20262 min read
French Authorities Say Three Die, Including Child, Off Wissant in English Channel Crossing
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Three migrants died, including a 10-year-old child, off northern France during Channel crossing attempt. Boat carrying about 105 people attempted to cross to the UK and capsized.
Wissant dinghy deaths
French authorities said three people, including a child, died off the coast of Wissant while attempting to cross the English Channel to the United Kingdom. French maritime police said they received a distress call from an inflatable dinghy carrying 105 people that had run into trouble in calm seas.
The Pas-de-Calais prefecture said the incident involving a “taxi boat” occurred off the coast of Wissant, a seaside village in northern France. The French Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea said three passengers were treated onboard but were later confirmed dead by an emergency medical team flown out by helicopter.
Rescue, injuries, cause
The French Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea said nine other people were treated by emergency services upon their arrival in the port of Calais. A French official believed the deaths and injuries of dozens of others were probably caused by crushing.
François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, told a press conference, “Apparently there was no drowning, it was likely crushing – which is just as dreadful, especially if we think of the 10-year-old child.” A spokesperson for the local prefecture confirmed “a provisional total of three deaths and many more injured”, and added that “sea conditions were calm – the weather is good”.
Channel crossings stakes
Monday's deaths take the total number of migrants who have died so far this year to 20, according to Pas-de-Calais prefecture. So far this year, 18,609 people have made the Channel crossing, more than 40% fewer than at the same point last year.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered an urgent review by the Border Security Command after two migrant boats evaded Border Force to reach UK shores in as many days, the Independent said. Mahmood told officials to look into “what must be done to ensure it doesn’t happen again” after she said that “even one” uncontrolled landing is “one too many”.