Tragic new toll in the English Channel: 12 migrants die trying to reach the UK

On Tuesday, the resigning Minister for the Interior, Gérald Darmanin, revealed an alarming provisional death toll: 12 people lost their lives when a clandestine boat sank off Boulogne-sur-Mer as they tried to cross the English Channel to the United Kingdom. In addition to the victims, two people are still missing and several others have been injured. Gérald Darmanin, who is due to visit the scene in the afternoon, shared the news in a statement on the X network, emphasising the seriousness of the incident.

Tragedy at sea: details of the accident

The boat, spotted in difficulty by the state vessel Le Minck, was carrying more than 60 migrants when it broke up in the middle of the sea. This incident, the deadliest since the beginning of the year, joins a long list of similar tragedies, with 25 deaths recorded since January in the English Channel. According to the maritime authorities, search operations are still under way, and the survivors are being cared for by land-based rescue services.

Particularly dangerous conditions in the Channel

The Préfecture Maritime has issued a firm warning, pointing out the extreme dangers of crossing the English Channel, one of the busiest shipping areas in the world, with more than 600 commercial vessels passing through every day. Weather conditions are often difficult, with strong winds more than 120 days a year. ‘This is a particularly dangerous area, even when the sea appears calm’, concluded the prefecture, calling for the utmost caution.