French maritime authorities announced on Friday that a baby tragically died while 65 individuals were rescued after a migrant boat capsized while trying to cross the English Channel towards Britain.
Late on Thursday, French rescuers observed that the overloaded vessel was in distress, prompting the need for intervention as several people were found in the water. Rescuers deployed semi-rigid boats to retrieve them, successfully saving 65 individuals, according to a statement from France’s maritime authorities.
During ongoing search operations, a baby was discovered unconscious and was subsequently pronounced dead by a doctor, the statement added.
The rescued migrants were taken to the French port of Boulogne-sur-Mer for assistance from healthcare services and border police.
The year 2024 has seen a string of shipwrecks, marking it as one of the deadliest years for migrants crossing the English Channel. Earlier this month, four migrants, including a 2-year-old child, lost their lives in two separate incidents while attempting similar crossings. Additionally, at least 20 migrants perished in various shipwrecks in the Channel last month.
