Eight migrants dead in Channel shipwreck, French authorities confirm: Video
Eight migrants lost their lives early Sunday morning when their overcrowded boat capsized while attempting to cross the Channel from France to England.
The AFP reports that the incident occurred around 1 a.m. off the coast of Ambleteuse.
The vessel, which departed from the Slack area near Wimereux with 59 people aboard, quickly encountered difficulties and ran aground on the foreshore. The boat was severely damaged by the rocks, leading to its sinking.
Prefect of Pas-de-Calais Jacques Billant told the media, “The boat was obviously torn apart on the rocks. As soon as the incident was reported, the emergency services were immediately mobilised to provide assistance to the shipwrecked crew, and the cross-country rescue team deployed the vessel 'Minck', which was already in the area, and the helicopter 'Dolphin' to search for any survivors at sea. Fortunately, no other victims were found during the search by the Préfecture Maritime."
This accident comes less than two weeks after the deadliest migrant disaster in the Channel this year. The French and British governments are struggling to prevent the dangerous crossings made by migrants on the Channel.
