A migrant has died after a boat crossing the English Channel to the UK got into difficulty, according to French authorities. The Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea said 62 people were pulled from the water after the boat broke up.
The French assistance and rescue intervention tug (RIAS) Abeille Normandie recovered 50 people on board, while the RNLI recovered two people and the Border Force Ranger nine people. A French Navy helicopter assisting in the search spotted an unconscious person in the water, French authorities said. All those rescued were transferred to the Abeille.
One of those rescued by the RNLI lifeboat was declared dead by the medical team on board the French tug.
Among the survivors was a child and his mother suffering hypothermia, who were airlifted to hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The others were dropped off at the Boulogne-sur-Mer quay and taken care of by the land rescue services.
The Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea is the senior French naval officer responsible for coordinating maritime safety, security, and environmental protection in the region.
As of mid-May 2025, the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats has surpassed 12,000, marking the highest total ever recorded this early in the year.
On May 12 alone, 601 individuals arrived in 10 boats, followed by 292 arrivals on May 13.
The French coastguard warned of the dangers of crossing the Channel, saying the stretch of water is one of the busiest in the world, with more than 600 merchant ships passing through every day.
Favourable weather conditions have contributed to the surge in crossings, with officials noting an increase in “red days”—ideal weather for sea crossings—compared to the previous year.
Despite government efforts to dismantle people-smuggling networks, including the establishment of the Border Security Command in July 2024, the number of crossings continues to rise.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the UK is in discussions with several countries to establish “returns hubs” for failed asylum seekers, aiming to expedite removals and deter irregular migration.
