Boat Rips Apart in English Channel, 12 Dead

Many migrants aboard were without life vests
By Newser.AI Read our AI policy
Posted Sep 3, 2024 5:00 PM CDT
Boat Rips Apart in English Channel, 12 Dead
A view of one of the vessels from the French Gendarmerie Nationale in the port of Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024, after participating in the rescue operation after a boat carrying migrants ripped apart attempting to cross the English Channel.   (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga)

A boat carrying migrants from northern France to Britain ruptured in the English Channel on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of 12 people. The vessel's bottom reportedly gave way, throwing dozens into the water. Olivier Barbarin, mayor of Le Portel, described the incident as the deadliest migrant accident in the channel this year. Rescuers managed to save 65 individuals.

A rep for the French maritime prefecture said many passengers lacked life preservers. The cause of the boat's rupture remains unclear; the type of boat also wasn't yet specified. The incident transpired near Gris-Nez point, with sea temperatures around 20 degrees Celsius (68 F). French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin described it as a "terrible shipwreck" and announced his intention to visit the scene.

The International Organization for Migration has documented at least 30 migrant deaths or disappearances in the channel this year, a figure that excludes these latest casualties. In the past week alone, over 2,100 migrants attempted the dangerous crossing on small boats, according to the UK Home Office. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)

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