At least 12 dead as boat carrying migrants capsizes in English Channel

Sept. 3 (UPI) -- At least 12 people have died and two are missing after a boat carrying migrants capsized and sank in the English Channel late Tuesday morning in what being caused the deadliest boat crossing there this year.

The French Coast Guard said that rescuers managed to save 53 people who were on the vessel. Authorities said that many on the boat needed immediate medical care and were taken for medical treatment at Boulogne-sur-Mer, France.

French navy helicopters, a French lifeboat nonprofit and two fishing boats joined in rescue efforts, officials said. French Coast Guard said that choppy water made the rescues more difficult.

"Nobody risks their lives traveling across the Channel in a small boat unless they feel they have no other choice," said Alex Fraser, the British Red Cross director for refugee support, according to The Guardian . "More safe routes are urgently needed to help prevent people from taking dangerous journeys to reach [Britain]."

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said all of the country's services are being mobilized to find the missing migrants and bring rescued migrants back to shore.

Olivier Barbarin, mayor of Le Portel, said that 10 of the migrants were listed in serious condition. Some of those rescued from the vessel were initially sent to Boulogne-sur-Mer before being transported by helicopter to Le Portel.