Twelve people died on Tuesday in an attempt to cross the Channel after their clandestine boat broke up while trying to reach England, off the coast of Wimereux (Pas-de-Calais). Two are missing and several others injured according to a provisional report, announced Gérald Darmanin.
The resigning Minister of the Interior indicated on the social network X that he was going to the scene “to meet elected officials and emergency services”.
“Terrible shipwreck in Pas-de-Calais, off Wimereux. The provisional toll stands at 12 people dead, 2 missing and several injured. All state services are mobilized to find the missing and take care of the victims. I am going to the elected officials and the emergency services,” he wrote on X.
This is the deadliest shipwreck since the beginning of the year. Before this tragedy, 25 people had already lost their lives on these crossings since January.
According to a source close to the case, the death toll could reach thirteen, including three minors.
Search operations are still underway, Lieutenant of the Navy Etienne Baggio told AFP. The boats that picked up victims are in the process of bringing them back to Boulogne-sur-Mer, he said.
