Tragedy struck on Tuesday when a boat carrying migrants capsized while trying to cross the English Channel from northern France to Britain, resulting in the loss of 13 lives.
According to Olivier Barbarin, the mayor of Le Portel near Boulogne-sur-Mer, the boat’s hull “ripped open,” causing the disaster. A maritime rescue official confirmed the grim death toll on the condition of anonymity.
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Officials reported that dozens more individuals found themselves in perilous waters during the incident, prompting the establishment of a first aid post at a nearby fishing port to assist survivors.
“It can go very quickly if people don’t know how to swim in these turbulent waters,” Barbarin remarked. Rescuers successfully saved 61 individuals from the chaotic waters.
The capsizing occurred off Gris-Nez point, between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Calais, as the sea temperature hovered around 68°F.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described the event as a “terrible shipwreck.” The International Organization for Migration previously reported that at least 30 migrants had died or gone missing this year while attempting the crossing, a figure not including the latest casualties.
In just the past week, over 2,100 migrants attempted to make the perilous journey in small boats, highlighting a troubling trend fueled by stricter asylum laws in Europe and the U.K.
While conditions in the U.K. are also challenging for migrants, many are drawn by family ties and the hope for better opportunities. Recent months have seen a rise in violent clashes around Dunkirk, Calais, and Boulogne-sur-Mer, with police and smugglers engaging in confrontations.
With France agreeing to increase border enforcement in exchange for financial support, risks have escalated, leading to more fatalities closer to shore. Salomé Bahri of the nonprofit Utopia 56 noted that desperate individuals are now rushing to avoid detection by authorities, resulting in higher casualties.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press