Three Migrants Tragically Die in Attempted English Channel Crossing
A perilous journey turns fatal as record numbers of people risk their lives in freezing waters
- Three migrants died while attempting to cross the Channel near Sangatte, France, early Sunday morning
- Record number of crossings this year, with over 36,000 people making the perilous journey in 2024
- Cold temperatures and dangerous waters make Channel crossings increasingly deadly
Three migrants tragically lost their lives early Sunday morning while attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat, according to the French coastguard.
The incident occurred near Sangatte, close to Calais, around 06:00 local time when the migrants fell into the water as they tried to board the vessel.
Helicopters later recovered the three bodies, while 45 other survivors were treated on the beach for various conditions, including hypothermia, with four requiring hospitalization. This marks another grim chapter in what has become the deadliest year for Channel crossings.
“It’s non-stop,” said Guy Allemand, mayor of Sangatte, referring to the unrelenting wave of attempted crossings. Just a few days earlier, 1,485 people made the dangerous journey, making it the busiest Christmas period since 2018. The French coastguard continues to search for any additional survivors.
With more than 36,000 Channel crossings reported in 2024, the danger of attempting the perilous journey, especially in the freezing temperatures, remains a critical issue, with the International Organization for Migration reporting 77 deaths this year.
