“In a devastating Channel crossing attempt, three migrants—including two children—lost their lives in an overcrowded dinghy. The incident near Sangatte raises urgent concerns over migrant safety and smuggling networks.”
Two Children Among Three Dead in Channel Crossing Attempt
In the early hours of Wednesday, tragedy struck as three migrants—two of them young children—died during an attempt to cross the English Channel in a dangerously overcrowded dinghy. According to French authorities, the vessel, packed with dozens of people, likely caused the deaths by crushing those at the bottom of the boatt.
The victims, two Vietnamese and one Egyptian migrant, were brought ashore in Boulogne-sur-Mer following the incident off the coast of Sangatte, near Calais. Laurent Touvet, the prefect of the Pas-de-Calais region, stated that the overcrowding likely led to fatal compression among passengers.
In a separate but related crossing attempt near Neufchâtel-Hardelot, three additional migrants were reported missing—though one individual was rescued and successfully resuscitated by gendarmes
This incident marks at least 23 migrant deaths in the Channel so far this year, continuing a deadly pattern—last year alone saw 77 fatalities. Over 30,000 individuals have successfully completed the crossing in small boats this year, despite the lethal risks involved
The victims’ heartbreaking loss underscores the grave dangers of these clandestine crossings. Experts place responsibility not only on smuggler networks but also on the lack of safe, legal migration routes for vulnerable individuals, often including families and children.
