French officials reported that a migrant died while attempting to cross the Channel to the UK, adding to two recent fatal boat sinkings in the past 10 days.
The man, an Indian national, had departed from Tardinghen beach in the Pas-de-Calais region in northern France.
“The vessel, which was in very poor condition, deflated immediately after leaving the beach” at around 5:30 am (0430 GMT) the local prefecture said in a statement.
French authorities reported that not all passengers had life jackets, but most were able to swim back to shore. A man in his 40s, an Indian national, was found in cardiac and respiratory arrest and could not be revived despite emergency efforts.
Sunday’s death brings the total number of lives lost this year on the Channel route between France and Britain to at least 56, surpassing previous years with two months still left in 2024.
Earlier, on Wednesday, two men and a woman died after their boat was wrecked about two kilometers offshore near Calais. The previous week, a four-month-old baby lost their life after another vessel broke apart.
And three migrants were hospitalised Friday after suffering injury or hypothermia in attempted crossings.
“We can’t bear any more of this migration policy. As far as we’re concerned, that’s what’s responsible” for the deaths, said Axel Gaudiant, coordinator of migrant aid association Utopia 46 in Calais.
Britain and France have worked together for years to prevent people departing northern France in small boats.
