France rescues nearly 140 illegal migrants attempting to cross English Channel

Over the weekend, 140 individuals are saved from illegal crossings into England across the English Channel

Officials in northern France said on Sunday around 140 people who were making the dangerous trek across the English Channel to England were rescued over the weekend in a series of rescue operations that brought attention to the persistent problem of unauthorized crossings.

Five individuals, including a little child who was in danger of drowning, were saved from the edge of death on Saturday in an event off the coast of Boulogne after their yacht capsized. According to authorities in the coastal area of Pas-de-Calais, these rescues were part of two major operations that highlighted the risks faced by people who attempted the crossing.

In another operation, a ship that ran into problems after leaving Gravelines was rescued along with fifty-seven people late on Saturday. A boat carrying 75 migrants had to be hauled back to safety after issuing a distress call that prevented a possible maritime catastrophe.

Being one of the busiest shipping channels in the world, the Channel presents significant hazards to anybody trying to cross its dangerous waters in a vessel that is not suitable. Around 36,000 individuals risked everything in 2023 to travel from the French north coast to England in search of a better life. According to the most recent information provided by French maritime authorities, this number marks a decrease of almost thirty percent over the same period last year. Still, authorities recorded 12 deaths resulting from attempts to cross the Channel.

In response to the ongoing crisis, Britain and France announced in late January that they would intensify their efforts to curb these dangerous crossings. This decision came after data revealed that over 1,000 individuals had already made the journey in January alone, signaling a persistent challenge for both nations in managing migration and safeguarding lives.

Source: AFP