A baby died when an overloaded migrant boat bound for Britain sank in the Channel off the coast of France in the latest tragedy involving asylum seekers, French authorities said Friday.
The accident occurred on Thursday evening off the French town of Wissant, the maritime authority responsible for French waters in the Channel and the North Sea told AFP, adding that 65 people were rescued.
The latest sinking brings to at least 52 the number of migrants who have died trying to reach Britain from France so far this year – a record since 2018.
During a rescue operation on Thursday evening, several ships and a Belgian helicopter saw an overcrowded boat, with some passengers in the water.
“Sixty-five people were found unharmed,” the maritime prefecture said.
“Following a search, a baby was found unconscious in the water and was sadly pronounced dead.”
The number of Channel crossings into Britain by undocumented asylum seekers has increased dramatically since 2018, despite repeated warnings about the dangerous journey. The Channel has heavy maritime traffic, icy waters and strong currents.
– Spring tide –
The migrants tried to cross the Channel during spring tides, called grandes marees in French, a phenomenon that only occurs about six times a year and is accompanied by extreme tidal movements.
But despite strong tidal currents, crossings have continued and several dinghies have required assistance in recent days.
From Wednesday to Thursday, 132 people on board two boats were rescued by French ships.
Migration was top of the agenda on Thursday when EU leaders met in Brussels.
The far right’s gains in several countries have translated into a tougher stance on migration across the bloc, with some governments pushing for reforms just months after agreeing reforms.
On Friday, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier will travel to Menton in the south of France on the Italian border to meet ministers from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government.
Italy has signed a controversial deal with non-EU member state Albania to house intercepted undocumented male migrants in Italian-run camps until their claims are heard remotely by Italian judges.
Migrants are sometimes crushed or trampled in crowded boats.
Many of the victims are children.
In early October, a two-year-old boy was crushed to death and three adult migrants died in two separate tragedies as their overcrowded boats attempted to cross the Channel to Britain.
In early September, twelve people, including six minors, mainly from Eritrea, died off the northern French coast when their boat capsized.
Migrants are still trying to hide in trucks to get through the heavily guarded tunnel connecting France and Britain, but most asylum seekers are now arriving in small boats.
The number of migrants arriving to Britain by boat averaged 53 this year, up from 13 in 2020, according to official British figures.
According to figures from the British Home Office, more than 26,000 migrants have landed on British shores since January 1.
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