Boulogne-sur-Mer, France — In a tragic incident, four individuals drowned overnight while attempting to cross the Channel, as reported by French media. The rescue operation took place off the northern coast of France near Boulogne-sur-Mer after authorities received reports of people in distress at sea.
The French newspaper La Voix du Nord reported that about 60 individuals were rescued from Thursday night into Friday morning. A navy patrol boat was dispatched following an alert that several people had fallen into the sea during the crossing attempt. Maritime police briefed Agence France-Presse, confirming that four of those rescued by helicopter were deceased.
These deaths mark the first such incident since Keir Starmer assumed office. Starmer has pledged to “stop the criminal gangs” facilitating these dangerous crossings, though it remains uncertain how quickly new policies can be implemented to address the surge in crossings during the summer months.
The last significant incident occurred on April 23, when five people died off the French coast in a similar attempt to reach the UK. This recent tragedy brings the total number of fatalities on the perilous journey from France to Britain this year to 19.
According to Home Office figures, 419 people made the journey across the Channel from France to the UK in six boats on Tuesday, averaging about 70 people per boat. This brings the provisional total for 2024 to 14,058, as reported by the Press Association.
The ongoing efforts by the UK and French authorities to curb these dangerous crossings highlight the persistent risks and challenges involved. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to help prevent further tragedies.
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