‘Two children among dead’ after English Channel crossing attempt
Three killed on packed boat while crossing English Channel
- Three people, including two children, died after an attempted small boat crossing in the English Channel off Sangatte, Pas-de-Calais, late on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
- Regional prosecutor Laurent Touvet indicated the three fatalities were likely caused by being crushed at the bottom of the packed boat, which was carrying 38 people.
- In a separate incident, another person was pronounced dead on Tuesday after being airlifted back to shore off Kent following a Channel crossing attempt.
- French authorities have attributed these tragedies to smuggling networks, with the Calais prosecutor's office vowing to combat them.
- Although there is no official record, at least 23 people have died attempting to cross the English Channel this year, following 50 deaths recorded by the French coastguard last year.