An infant died when a migrant boat sank trying to cross the Channel, off the coast of Pas-de-Calais

During a rescue operation of an overloaded boat, 65 people were recovered safely, said the Channel and North Sea maritime prefecture.

A new drama in the Channel. An infant died on the evening of Thursday October 17 off the coast of Wissant (Pas-de-Calais) after the sinking of a boat overloaded with people trying to reach England clandestinely, declared the maritime prefecture of Manche and the North Sea to AFP on Friday.

During an operation to recover migrants who had fallen into the water, “65 people were recovered safe and sound” more,“After a search, an infant was found unconscious in the water and unfortunately declared deceased”specified the prefecture. This new tragedy follows in particular that which occurred at the beginning of October in which four migrants, including a 2-year-old child, died while trying to reach England by boat.

At least 52 people died in crossing attempts in 2024, a toll that has never been so heavy since the start in 2018. The conditions for crossing the Channel, “one of the busiest areas in the world” according to the maritime prefecture, are particularly dangerous.