According to Reuters, French authorities announced on 15th September, that eight people had died while attempting to cross the Channel from France to England, confirming earlier media reports.
This recent tragedy comes after 12 people died earlier this month when their boat capsized in the Channel en route to Britain, underscoring the growing pressure on the British and French governments to address the issue of boat crossings.
Jacques Billant, the Prefect of the Pas-de-Calais region, reported that rescue teams were alerted to a boat carrying 59 people that was in trouble in waters near Ambleteuse, in the Pas-de-Calais area.
A new drama took place around one in the morning and we deplore the death of eight people.
…he told a news conference, adding that the other 51 onboard were now in the care of rescue and medical crews.
The dead were men from Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, Iran and Afghanistan, he added.
Reuters highlights that the Channel is one of the busiest shipping routes globally, with strong currents that make crossing in small boats particularly hazardous.
According to Billant, this recent incident raises the total number of people who have died attempting to cross from France since the beginning of the year to 46.
He also mentioned that on September 14 alone, there were eight separate crossing attempts from France, with around 200 migrants being rescued.
