two new bodies recovered off the coast of Calais

The signal was given to the regional operational surveillance and rescue center (CROSS) Gris-Nez by a ferry this Tuesday, November 5. The ship's crew reported observing a body off the coast of Calais.

The maritime and port security platoon (PSMP) ESMP03 of the Calais maritime gendarmerie and the public service patrol boat (PSP) Cormorant of the French Navy were requested to carry out a search in the area. It was the latter who located not one but two remains adrift.

Also read -> Channel: a new crossing attempt leaves one dead

“Two altered bodies at sea”

“This involves the discovery of two altered bodies at sea, suggesting a presence in the water for at least several days“, announced to our colleagues from France 3 Hauts-de-France Guirec Le Bras, public prosecutor of Boulogne-sur-Mer, who opened an investigation.

A little earlier, on the night of November 4 to 5, the CROSS engaged the rescue ship chartered by the State Minck to rescue a boat with engine failure off the coast of Audresselles in which there were 51 migrants. Once at the dock, the rescued people were taken care of by the departmental emergency services and the border police.

The maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea recalled the risks run by individuals who plan to cross the Channel. “This maritime sector is one of the busiest areas in the world, with more than 600 commercial ships passing through it per day and the weather conditions are often difficult (120 days of wind greater than or equal to force 7 on an annual average for example ), it is therefore a particularly dangerous sector, particularly in the middle of winter for precarious and overloaded boats.”