Migrants feared useless as small boat will get into issue in Channel | EUROtoday

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At least one migrant is assumed to have drowned within the Channel after a small boat received into difficulties in French waters.

Two folks had been reported lacking and one was lifted from the water unconscious whereas making an attempt to make the crossing to Britain, French officers stated.

A French coastguard spokesperson stated navy boats and a helicopter went to assistance from a small boat with migrants on board off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez, northern France.

Rescuers picked up a complete of about 180 migrants in 4 separate operations on Wednesday, the maritime prefecture stated. Dozens of individuals had been introduced ashore at Dover after making the harmful journey in numerous boats in in foggy climate.

Some of these rescued advised the crew of a French navy vessel that three folks had gone lacking throughout their crossing try.

Searches with French navy boats and a helicopter discovered one one who couldn’t be revived, however two different folks had been nonetheless lacking, it stated.

Around 50 migrants had been on the makeshift boat, officers stated.

“The sea was quiet today [and] there was an unusually large number of crossing attempts,” a prefecture officer stated.

A UK authorities spokesperson stated: “We can confirm there has been an incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters.

“French authorities are leading the response and investigation. We will not be commenting further at this stage.”

Enver Solomon, chief govt of the Refugee Council, stated: “Our thoughts go out to the families of those affected by the tragic loss of life in the English Channel this afternoon and to all those who valiantly answered the distress call.

“This is yet another avoidable human tragedy. Men, women and children from countries such as Afghanistan are risking their lives in the Channel as a direct consequence of safe routes being so limited and ineffective.”

The final fatalities within the Channel occurred on 14 January when 5 migrants died after an pressing rescue mission was launched to assist round 70 folks in issue.

A report 290 migrants crossed the Channel in 5 small boats on Sunday – the best recorded quantity for a single day in February.

More than 2,000 migrants have arrived within the UK to date this 12 months after crossing the strait between England and France, Home Office figures present.

The variety of Channel arrivals is 32 per cent decrease than the overall recorded this time final 12 months (2,953) however 49 per cent greater than the overall at this stage in 2022 (1,482).

Some 29,437 migrants arrived within the UK after making the crossing final 12 months, down 36 per cent on a report 45,774 arrivals in 2022.