Rescuers save 68 migrants aboard a boat at sea off Calais

The 68 people were rescued and dropped off at the dock in Calais, before being taken care of by emergency services.

Emergency services rescued 68 migrants aboard a boat off the coast of Calais, in Pas-de-Calais, on Friday, January 17, in the afternoon, reports “ici Nord” on Saturday. The boat was spotted on Friday “in the middle of the afternoon”, “in the area of ​​the old Walde lighthouse off the coast of Calais”relates the maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea in a press release.

But it was a few hours later that the people on board requested assistance, “following the failure of their engine”. The 68 people were rescued and dropped off at the quayside in Calais, before being taken care of by emergency services, adds the maritime prefecture.

The maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea once again reminds “that 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.” It warns of the risks faced by people trying to cross the Channel.