Three people, including a child, died and dozens were injured on Monday after an inflatable boat carrying 105 people got into trouble while attempting to cross the Channel to the UK, according to French authorities.
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Key facts
- Three people died, including a child, French authorities said.
- Dozens of others were reported injured.
- The inflatable dinghy was carrying 105 people.
- France's maritime police received a distress call in the early hours.
- One report said the vessel had overturned, in calm seas.
A child was among three people who died, and dozens of others were injured, while attempting to cross the Channel to the UK on Monday, French authorities have said.
France’s maritime police said they received a distress call in the early hours from an inflatable dinghy carrying 105 people that had run into trouble, according to the Guardian.
The Guardian reported that the vessel got into difficulty in calm seas. One report said the boat had overturned, though details of exactly how it came into trouble were not confirmed in the sources.
Al Jazeera also reported that France’s maritime police said they received a distress call from an inflatable dinghy carrying 105 people, corroborating the account of the incident off the French coast.
The number of people packed onto the single inflatable boat highlights the crowded conditions in which such crossings are frequently attempted. Beyond the three confirmed deaths, dozens of injuries were reported among those on board.
As of the reports, French authorities had confirmed the death toll and the presence of a child among the victims, but further details on the survivors and the rescue operation were not provided in the available sources.
Why it matters
The deaths add to the ongoing toll of dangerous small-boat crossings of the Channel, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes. Incidents involving overcrowded inflatable boats remain a central concern in the debate over migration and safety at sea between France and the UK.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were on the boat?
French authorities said the inflatable dinghy was carrying 105 people when it ran into trouble.
How many people died?
Three people died, including a child, and dozens of others were reported injured, according to French authorities.
What caused the boat to get into trouble?
French maritime police said they received a distress call in the early hours after the boat ran into trouble in calm seas. One report said the vessel had overturned, but the sources do not confirm a definitive cause.
Timeline
- Child among three killed off French coast in Channel crossing attempt
Al Jazeera: France's maritime police said they received a distress call from an inflatable dinghy carrying 105 people.
- Three people dead, including a child, in attempt to cross Channel to UK
The Guardian World: Dozens also reported injured after inflatable boat carrying 105 people gets into trouble off northern France A child was among three people who died and dozens of others who were injured while attempting to cross the Channel on Monday, French authorities have said. France’s ma