at least three migrants died in an attempt to cross the Channel

Three people died in Sangatte, in Pas-de-Calais, on Sunday morning, while attempting to cross the Channel.

At least three migrants died on Sunday, December 29, around 6 a.m., while trying to cross the Channel, in Sangatte, in Pas-de-Calais, according to a still “provisional” report from the Manche maritime prefecture and the North Sea and the Pas-de-Calais prefecture. At the same time, search operations for potential shipwreck victims continued on Sunday morning. An investigation is opened by the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office.

Many people tried to get into a boat, around 6 a.m., near Sangatte beach, reports France Bleu Nord. The maritime prefecture speaks “a chaotic boarding”, “with around fifty people remaining in the water and on the beach”.

During the operation, “45 people are assisted by emergency services on land”according to the prefecture of Pas-de-Calais, including “four people in relative emergency” who were transported to the hospitals of Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The “Dauphin” helicopter of the French Navy recovered “three inanimate people”according to the press release. ”First aid measures are immediately provided to them” more “their death is noted by the Smur teams“. The mayor of Sangatte Guy Allemand went to the site.