A man has died after a migrant boat, carrying more than 20 people, deflated while attempting to cross the English Channel on Sunday morning. French authorities identified the victim as an Indian national around 40 years old who suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. Despite emergency efforts, he could not be revived.
The sinking occurred near Tardinghen, close to Calais, at 05:30 local time (04:30 GMT), forcing those aboard to swim back to shore. This tragedy marks the third fatal Channel incident in just 10 days, intensifying concerns over what has become the deadliest year on record for such crossings. On Wednesday, three migrants perished in another failed attempt, and on 18 October, a four-month-old baby lost their life in similar circumstances.
French coastguards report rescuing over 100 people from distressed boats since Thursday alone, as more crossings occur amid favorable weather. On Sunday, authorities thwarted multiple crossing attempts from hotspots like Equihen-Plage and Sangatte.
New figures reveal the number of migrants arriving in small boats in 2024 has surpassed last year’s total, with 29,578 arrivals as of Friday, edging past 2023’s tally of 29,437. A BBC investigation recently exposed a German-based people-smuggling operation offering Channel crossing packages for €15,000, underscoring the growing scale and sophistication of these dangerous crossings.
The UK’s Home Office has vowed to dismantle these networks, citing a commitment to prosecuting human traffickers. Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, stressed the urgency of offering safer pathways for those fleeing conflict, stating that many migrants are “desperate men, women, and children seeking a future free from fear.”
The UN reports that at least 57 people have lost their lives attempting the Channel crossing this year alone, highlighting the perilous journeys that continue to take a heavy toll on human life.
