A tragic incident occurred on Monday off the French coast, where three migrants, including a 10-year-old boy, lost their lives while attempting to cross the Channel to Britain. According to French authorities, the migrants were among a group of 105 people who boarded a rubber dinghy in the area of Sangatte in northern France. The dinghy departed at around 5:15 am and called for rescue services at around 8:00 am when they were approximately six kilometers off the coast.
The prefect of the region, Francois Xavier Lauch, stated that the three victims, believed to be Eritrean, died due to a crush on the overcrowded dinghy. The 10-year-old boy was reportedly traveling with his mother and siblings. The incident has brought attention to the risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the Channel, with at least 22 people having died this year and 29 last year, according to an AFP tally based on official French and British sources.
The survivors of the accident were taken into care and disembarked at the port of Calais, with some being transported on stretchers and in wheelchairs, wrapped in emergency blankets. Children were among those rescued. The maritime prefecture confirmed that the dinghy had not sunk, and all passengers on board had requested rescue.
The incident has highlighted the dangers of the Channel crossing, particularly during the autumn season when the weather is still favorable but the sea is becoming increasingly treacherous. Prefect Lauch described these periods as "delicate" and stated that crossings are most hazardous during this time. This incident follows the discovery of three bodies last week after similar chaotic departures from northern France.
The issue of Channel crossings has become a sensitive topic in the United Kingdom, with successive British governments struggling to find a solution. The hard-right Reform UK party has gained popularity on the back of growing anti-immigration sentiment. A record 781 people arrived in Britain on Wednesday after crossing the Channel on small boats, although overall numbers remain below previous years.
According to the latest figures, a total of 18,609 people have crossed the Channel from France so far in 2026, representing a 42 percent decrease compared to the same period last year. The British government continues to grapple with the issue, seeking to curb the crossings and address the concerns of the public.
The French authorities have long been working to prevent these crossings, as France is often a staging post for asylum seekers without visas hoping to reach Britain. Migrants typically pay smugglers thousands of dollars to board unstable and overcrowded rubber dinghies for the journey across one of the world's busiest shipping routes.
Key points
- At least 22 people have died this year trying to cross the Channel.
- The incident occurred when a dinghy carrying 105 people departed from northern France.
- The 10-year-old boy was traveling with his mother and siblings.
