Migrants feared dead as small boat gets into difficulty in Channel

Search operation launched in French waters after three people go missing as 180 make crossing to England

At least one migrant is thought to have drowned in the Channel after a small boat got into difficulties in French waters.

Two people were reported missing and one was lifted from the water unconscious while trying to make the crossing to Britain, French officials said.

A French coastguard spokesperson said navy boats and a helicopter went to the aid of a small boat with migrants on board off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez, northern France.

French border force are involved in the search operation (AFP via Getty Images)

Rescuers picked up a total of about 180 migrants in four separate operations on Wednesday, the maritime prefecture said. Dozens of people were brought ashore at Dover after making the dangerous journey in various boats in in foggy weather.

Some of those rescued told the crew of a French navy vessel that three people had gone missing during their crossing attempt.

Searches with French navy boats and a helicopter found one person who could not be revived, but two other people were still missing, it said.

Around 50 migrants were on the makeshift boat, officials said.

“The sea was quiet today [and] there was an unusually large number of crossing attempts,” a prefecture officer said.

A UK government spokesperson said: “We can confirm there has been an incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters.

“French authorities are leading the response and investigation. We will not be commenting further at this stage.”

Rescued migrants brought to Dover last month (PA)

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “Our thoughts go out to the families of those affected by the tragic loss of life in the English Channel this afternoon and to all those who valiantly answered the distress call.

“This is yet another avoidable human tragedy. Men, women and children from countries such as Afghanistan are risking their lives in the Channel as a direct consequence of safe routes being so limited and ineffective.”

The last fatalities in the Channel happened on 14 January when five migrants died after an urgent rescue mission was launched to help around 70 people in difficulty.

A record 290 migrants crossed the Channel in five small boats on Sunday – the highest recorded number for a single day in February.

More than 2,000 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the strait between England and France, Home Office figures show.

The number of Channel arrivals is 32 per cent lower than the total recorded this time last year (2,953) but 49 per cent higher than the total at this stage in 2022 (1,482).

Some 29,437 migrants arrived in the UK after making the crossing last year, down 36 per cent on a record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.