The Guardian

Pregnant woman and six children among 12 victims after migrant boat capsizes in Channel, French official says – latest updates

By Daniel Lavelle (now) and Lili Bayer (earlier),

8 hours ago

8.34pm BST

Lt Etienne Baggio, a spokesman for the French agency that oversees the stretch of sea where the boat capsized, said it was the deadliest migrant boat tragedy in the Channel this year.

In July, four people died while attempting the crossing on an inflatable boat that capsized and punctured. Five others, including a child, died in another attempt in April. And five dead people were recovered from the sea, or found washed up on a beach, after a boat ran into difficulties in the dark and winter cold of January.

The tragedy is believed to have been the second worst in terms of number of fatalities since the small boats crisis began.

Updated at 8.35pm BST

8.23pm BST

Here’s our story covering the tragedy today

7.09pm BST

A pregnant woman and six children among the dead says French official

A pregnant woman was among the 12 people who died after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Channel, the mayor of Boulogne-sur-Mer, Frédéric Cuvillier, told the BBC.

Guirec Le Bras, the Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor, confirmed at least 12 people died – including six minors and 10 females.

Adding that those who died were “primarily of Eritrean origin”, but that officials “do not have consolidated details that would allow us to specify the exact nationalities”.

Fewer than eight people were wearing lifejackets on the overcrowded vessel, according to French Interior Minister, Gérald Darmanin.

Rescuers saved 51 people from the boat, including two who are in a critical condition.

Updated at 8.36pm BST

7.00pm BST

“Increased coastline security and restriction of viable routes is only pushing asylum seekers to take riskier journeys,” writes Rajeev Syal , the Guardian’s Home Affairs Editor.

The grimly familiar sight of body bags being unloaded from search and rescue boats was witnessed again by the reporters on the shores of Northern France on Tuesday. And again, ministers from both the UK and French governments expressed their horror at another mass drowning of people trying to reach the UK.
The charities that work closely with asylum seekers say thatthe policies of both governments may be inadvertently increasing the number of deaths of people seeking safety in the UK.
Charities and Labour figures such as Alfred Dubs have said that the reason that so many people fleeing war and torture are coming to the UK by small boats – including those from Syria, Sudan and Iran – is because there are no viable alternatives…

Updated at 7.05pm BST

6.26pm BST

Border security and asylum minister, Dame Angela Eagle, says that today’s deaths on the Channel represents a “worrying trend” as boats become more crammed with people.

Eagle says: “The quality of boats is deteriorating, so these crossings are getting more and more dangerous as time goes on.

“They’re always dangerous, this is a very, very busy shipping lane, but the danger and the risk seems to be rising and today’s tragic incident is a representation of that.”

Updated at 7.46pm BST

5.27pm BST

Speaking from Boulogne-sur-Mer, France’s interior minister, Gérald Darmanin , said the UK only “pays a fraction” of what the French government spends on preventing migrant deaths on the Channel.

We have to absolutely re-establish some relations with our friends in the UK, and with the UK Government
I’ve had a lot of conversations with the four interior ministers that visited the UK recently. And I think it’s really important that it’s the role of the government to negotiate …
We need a treaty – a migration treaty between the UK and the European Union – because the people who go now [are] people from the core of Africa who want to go to the UK and they want to join their families and they actually work in conditions that would not be accepted [in] France. And so we really do need to work together to stop these things happening.

Updated at 7.05pm BST

5.16pm BST

According to the BBC, 21,403 people have crossed the Channel this year, a slight increase in the same period as the previous year but far fewer than in 2022, when 45,755, the highest number since records began in 2018, made the journey.

As of the year ending June 2024, Afghans were the preponderant group making the journey across the Channel, followed by Iranian nationals.

Approximately 83% of those who arrived in the 12 months to June were male, and 40% of them were aged between 25 and 39 years old.

Updated at 5.20pm BST

5.00pm BST

CEO of global children’s charity Plan International UK, Rose Caldwell, has called on the government to establish safe routes to the UK for asylum seekers.

No one – let alone a child – should ever have to risk their life to find safety, but the current lack of safe routes means this is often the only option.
It is essential that the Government now develops a framework to improve and expand safe routes for claiming asylum to ensure that no one else will have to risk their lives to find safety.

4.55pm BST

Before Tuesday, the French coastguard had recorded at least 19 Channel crossing deaths in 2024, including nine since the start of July.

The International Organisation for Migration, which records Channel crossing deaths, estimates 226 people including 35 children are missing or have died as of January 2024.

4.37pm BST

On X, the shadow home secretary, James Cleverly, said: “This is tragic & it cannot continue.

“It is not enough to talk about ‘smashing the gangs’ when the real-life consequences are so serious.

Labour must re-establish the deterrent that the NCA said we need to stop vulnerable people being exploited and secure our border.”

Updated at 4.38pm BST

4.31pm BST

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said: “What has happened off the coast at Le Portel is a horrifying and deeply tragic incident.

Our hearts go out to the loved ones of all those who have lost their lives, and all those who have been seriously injured. I am in touch with my counterpart in France, Gérald Darmanin, and am being kept updated on the situation.
We pay tribute to the French coastguard and emergency services who undoubtedly saved many lives, but sadly could not save everyone. We will await the results of the French investigation into how this particular incident unfolded.
The gangs behind this appalling and callous trade in human lives have been cramming more and more people on to increasingly unseaworthy dinghies, and sending them out into the Channel even in very poor weather. They do not care about anything but the profits they make, and that is why – as well as mourning the awful loss of life – the work to dismantle these dangerous and criminal smuggler gangs and to strengthen border security is so vital and must proceed apace.

Updated at 4.32pm BST

4.12pm BST

Summary of the day thus far

At least 12 people died after their boat capsized in the Channel.
The outgoing French interior minister, Gérald Darmanin , said that rescue operations were still underway to find two missing people.
Olivier Barbarin , the mayor of Le Portel near the fishing port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, said that “unfortunately, the bottom of the boat ripped open.”
Over 50 people were reportedly rescued.
Civil society groups spoke out about the incident.
Steve Smith , CEO of Care4Calais said “every political leader, on both sides of our Channel, needs to be asked how many lives will be lost before they end these avoidable tragedies?”
Alex Fraser , the British Red Cross UK director for refugee support, said “nobody risks their life travelling across the Channel in a small boat unless they feel they have no other choice. More safe routes are urgently needed.”
Enver Solomon , CEO of the Refugee Council, said “the number of deaths in the Channel this year has been shockingly high. It is a devastating trend that shows the urgent need for a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach to reduce dangerous Channel crossings.”

3.51pm BST

Steve Smith , CEO of Care4Calais said “all of us, particularly our team in Calais, are devastated by this latest tragedy.”

Every political leader, on both sides of our Channel, needs to be asked how many lives will be lost before they end these avoidable tragedies?
Their continued obsession, and investment, in security measures is not reducing crossings, it is simply pushing people to take ever increasing risks to do so.
Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is political lunacy. It’s time politicians were held accountable for their choice to dehumanise people seeking sanctuary from horrors back home. It’s time they ended these tragedies and introduced safe routes.

3.30pm BST

Alex Fraser , the British Red Cross UK director for refugee support, said that “we are devastated to hear that people have lost their lives while attempting to cross the Channel today.”

“Nobody risks their life travelling across the Channel in a small boat unless they feel they have no other choice. More safe routes are urgently needed to help prevent people from taking dangerous journeys to reach the UK,” he said.

3.25pm BST

Wanda Wyporska , chief executive at Safe Passage International, has said that “far too many children, women and men have already lost their lives this year in terrifying ways across the Channel. Every one of them was preventable.”

“Today’s tragedy must be the last. Without safe alternatives to reach protection in the UK, people fleeing war and persecution will continue to make dangerous journeys at the hands of smugglers as they have no other choice. We must not accept this Government’s refusal to prioritise opening new safe routes,” she added.

Updated at 3.25pm BST

3.18pm BST

A boat has capsized off the Libyan coast, the Associated Press reported citing Libyan authorities said.

One person has died and 22 are missing.

Updated at 3.18pm BST

3.08pm BST

53 people rescued: report

The maritime prefecture has said that the boat was carrying 65 people, BFMTV reported citing a statement.

12 people died, and more than fifty were rescued.

“Several of them require emergency medical care,” it said.

Updated at 3.09pm BST

2.38pm BST

Olivier Barbarin , the mayor of Le Portel near the fishing port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, said that “unfortunately, the bottom of the boat ripped open,” the Associated Press reported.

“It’s a big drama,” he added.

2.29pm BST

At least 12 people dead and two missing, says French interior minister

France’s outgoing interior minister, Gérald Darmanin , has said all services are mobilised to locate missing people.

“Terrible shipwreck in Pas-de-Calais, off Wimereux. The provisional toll stands at 12 dead, 2 missing and several injured,” he wrote.

“All state services are mobilised to find the missing and take care of the victims. I go to the elected officials and the emergency services,” he added.

Updated at 2.38pm BST

2.19pm BST

At least 13 dead, including three minors: report

A source close to the investigation told AFP at least 13 people had perished including three minors.

French navy helicopters, fishing boats and military vessels are being mobilised for the rescue operation, naval officer Etienne Baggio said.

Updated at 2.19pm BST

2.15pm BST

Frédéric Cuvillier , the mayor of Boulogne-sur-Mer, said “a new tragedy linked to the migration situation has just taken place on our territory.”

“A boat carrying nearly 70 people sank off our coast. The toll, unfortunately without being stabilised, is heavy with more than 10 victims and people in absolute emergency situations,” he said in a social media post.

2.08pm BST

La Voix du Nord’s Florent Caffery is reporting that the death toll has gone up to 13.

1.59pm BST

Responding to news about the sinking of a small boat in the Channel and reports of several deaths, Enver Solomon , CEO of the Refugee Council, said that “we are heartbroken by the tragic deaths in the latest incident in the Channel.”

The number of deaths in the Channel this year has been shockingly high. It is a devastating trend that shows the urgent need for a comprehensive and multi-pronged approach to reduce dangerous Channel crossings.
Enforcement alone is not the solution. Heightened security and policing measures on the French coast have led to increasingly perilous crossings, launching from more dangerous locations and in flimsy, overcrowded vessels.
In addition to taking action against the criminal gangs themselves, the Government must develop a plan to improve and expand safe routes for those seeking safety.

1.56pm BST

An official told AFP that a ship had spotted the boat in difficulty with more than 60 people on board and came to its aid.

1.37pm BST

La Voix du Nord’s Florent Caffery has shared footage from the scene where emergency services are gathering.

1.34pm BST

Key event

French authorities have confirmed at least five people died in a Channel crossing attempt, AFP reported.

Updated at 1.51pm BST

1.28pm BST

France’s outgoing interior minister, Gérald Darmanin , is expected on the scene, CNews reported.

1.25pm BST

Today’s incident took place in French waters, and UK search and rescue boats are on standby, it is understood.

1.17pm BST

Local paper La Voix du Nord reports that there were around 70 people on the boat that sank.

Updated at 1.18pm BST

1.04pm BST

The rescue operation is taking place off the coast at Le Portel, a town of around 9,000 people south of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Rescue workers were deployed at around 11:30am French time, according to France 3 local television.

Olivier Barbarin , the town’s mayor, said that 10 people were in a serious condition, the channel reported.

Some people who had been on board the boat were brought to Boulogne-sur-Mer, others were lifted by helicopter to Le Portel.

1.03pm BST

At least ten people have died: initial reports

At least ten people have died after a boat capsized in the English Channel, according to initial reports .

Updated at 1.10pm BST

12.52pm BST

A French coast guard spokesperson has confirmed that over 50 people were being rescued in the channel and are in need of medical treatment, Reuters reported.

10 people are in critical condition, the spokesperson said.

12.52pm BST

50 people are involved and ten are in critical condition, BFMTV reports, as a large rescue operation is under way in Boulogne-sur-Mer after a boat carrying migrants sank.

12.47pm BST

Search-and-rescue operation ongoing in English Channel

A large search-and-rescue operation is under way in the English Channel after a boat capsized, TV channel France 3 said, Reuters reported.