Two people dead and 46 rescued after boat sinks in Channel

 

Two people dead and 46 rescued after boat sinks in Channel

 

French maritime prefecture says incident took place off coast of Calais

 

Diane Taylor and agency

Wed 23 Oct 2024 06.11 EDT

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/23/people-dead-rescued-boat-sinks-channel-calais

 

Two people died after a migrant boat sank in the Channel on Wednesday morning, French maritime authorities have said.

 

The French maritime prefecture for the Channel and the North Sea said a further 46 people were rescued after the incident off the coast of Calais.

 

The rescue operation was launched off Calais after a lifejacket was spotted in the sea. Forty-eight people were recovered in the search, and first aid was given to two unconscious people brought onboard the Minck ship. They were later confirmed dead in Calais, the French maritime prefecture said.

 

Two boats and a helicopter were used in the rescue mission, alongside a medical team. Survivors were looked after by land rescue services while the search continues for anyone who may still be at sea, the authority added.

 

The Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation.

 

So far this year, 47 deaths have been reported by the French coastguard,

 

Dr Wanda Wyporska, the chief executive at Safe Passage International, said: “Just days on since a baby died in a tragedy in the Channel, two more people have lost their lives on this dangerous journey. At least 55 people have died so far in the deadliest year for people crossing the Channel – we cannot normalise or accept this.

 

“This government must open safe routes urgently. Without them, the smugglers will continue to exploit the lack of safe alternatives for people fleeing war and persecution. We fear we will only see more people dying in their attempts to reach protection here.”