Four migrants have tragically died after their boat capsized while attempting to cross the English Channel, the French coastguard has reported. Overnight, a navy patrol boat was alerted that migrants had fallen into the sea near Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France. Despite rescue efforts, four individuals found “unconscious” could not be revived, while 63 others were rescued. A helicopter and a fishing vessel also assisted in the rescue operation.
So far this year, over 13,000 people have crossed the English Channel. On 18 June, 882 people made the crossing in 15 small boats, setting a new record for the year. Home Office data indicates that this was the highest number of arrivals in a single day since October 2022. According to the Home Office, 484 migrants crossed the Channel on Monday and Tuesday.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the new Labour government unveiled plans to address the issue of small boat crossings. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced that a leader for the UK’s new Border Security Command would be appointed within weeks. The government aims for this new body to reduce the number of small boat crossings in the English Channel.
BBC
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