On Sunday December 29, 2024, three people lost their lives during an attempted illegal crossing of the Channel. This tragedy brings to at least 76 the number of migrants who have died this year in such operations.
Three people died on Sunday in an attempt to illegally cross the Channel, the mayor of Sangatte (Pas-de-Calais) told AFP, a tragedy which brings to at least 76 the number of migrants who have died this year in such attempts.
The tragedy took place near Blériot-Plage in Sangatte, according to a source close to the emergency services. Around 6:00 a.m., several people found themselves in the water after trying to board an overloaded boat, the Channel and North Sea Maritime Prefecture (Prémar) told AFP.
Several assets deployed at sea
Around fifty were taken care of on land, either by associations or by State services, and several resources were deployed at sea, including a helicopter from the national navy, indicated the maritime prefecture. Among these people, many were in a situation of hypothermia, continued Prémar.
“It doesn’t stop, it’s crossing after crossing, there is no decline, quite the contrary”, reacted the mayor of Sangatte, Guy Allemand, to AFP.
The system put in place is “unprecedented in the town”he assured, specifying that 41 migrants are welcomed within the town's nautical base, supervised by the police.
In addition to the three people who died, “seven people are in relative emergency”he continued. According to Prémar, the boat continued on its way.
Since Christmas, light winds have favored crossing attempts. Between Wednesday and Saturday, nearly 1,500 migrants arrived in English waters aboard “small boats”, frail boats that are often overloaded, according to figures communicated by the British authorities. Since January, more than 36,000 people have successfully crossed by this means.
“Many departures” took place again on Sunday morning, according to Prémar.
