A tragic incident occurred in the English Channel this morning as a child migrant fell off a small boat and died. The incident involved a crowded dinghy carrying 48 other migrants who were rescued. Despite the child’s death, the boat proceeded towards England with around 50 individuals onboard.
The body of the child was found on Écault beach, near Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. The local prosecutor, Cécile Gressier, confirmed the incident and stated that an investigation is underway. This unfortunate event follows the deaths of two Somali women under similar circumstances the day before.
An investigation has been initiated to determine the specifics of the child’s death, including age and nationality. This latest fatality brings the total number of deaths to at least 21 this year as migrants attempt to reach Britain from France via small boats. Prosecutors in Boulogne are investigating all the weekend deaths to identify the human traffickers responsible for organizing these perilous journeys.
Earlier this month, three individuals, including children, died from being crushed at the bottom of a boat while attempting the same route. In 2024, a total of 78 migrants lost their lives trying to reach England through this method, marking a record since the inception of smugglers launching such boats in 2018.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has vowed to escalate efforts in combating these criminal organizations profiting from these deadly crossings. The tragic incident in April 2024 near Calais, resulting in the deaths of five migrants, including a young girl, prompted a criminal investigation. The deadliest incident occurred in November 2021 when 27 migrants perished after their dinghy sank en route to the UK.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have pledged to enhance cooperation to combat human traffickers, although criticisms persist regarding the adequacy of their actions. Their “one-in-one-out” strategy aims to dissuade potential asylum seekers by swiftly repatriating them. Nevertheless, over 32,000 individuals have crossed this year, indicating ongoing challenges despite the authorities’ efforts to curb illegal crossings.
