Eight migrants died in attempt to cross the Channel from France to England

Eight people have died trying to cross the Channel from France to England when their overcrowded boat capsized, French authorities said on Sunday.

This incident raises the total number of deaths from crossing attempts to 45 since January, making 2024 the deadliest year since the start of the makeshift boat crossings across the Channel in 2018.

Given the suitable weather, “200 shipwrecked individuals were rescued,” reported the Channel and North Sea Maritime Prefecture (Prémar) on Saturday evening. Throughout the day, “18 boat departure attempts were monitored.”

This latest incident follows the death of 12 people earlier this month in the same conditions, adding pressure on the British and French governments to tackle the boat crossings’ issue.