Two men die as fire engulfs crowded migrant boat in Channel off France
Two men died and two women were severely burned after an overcrowded migrant dinghy caught fire in the Channel off Berck, France, while heading towards Britain. The incident highlights the dangers of packed small boats and came amid continuing crossings and protests in Hampshire over migrants arriving in the UK.
French rescuers counted at least 80 people aboard and said the fire appeared to involve an outboard motor and a petrol leak. The two men, aged 35 and 45, died after 43 minutes of CPR; the injured women were Somali, aged 20 and 26, and a child separated from one of them was later found ashore. Separately, 149 migrants were brought to Dover after being picked up by the RNLI, six people were arrested during protests in Gosport, and the article says at least 26 people have died in Channel crossings this year.
- Two men died after a migrant dinghy caught fire off France.
- At least 80 people were aboard the overcrowded boat.
- The article reports 26 Channel crossing deaths this year.
New here? Start with this
Migrant crossings of the English Channel have become increasingly common in recent years, with thousands of people attempting the journey from France to Britain in small boats. These crossings are extremely hazardous, involving crowded dinghies navigating unpredictable weather and choppy seas. The phenomenon has become central to British public and political debate about immigration.
The migrants attempting these journeys typically pay smugglers to organise their passage; many are fleeing conflict, persecution or poverty. France and the UK both operate coast guard services in the Channel, whilst rescue organisations including the RNLI also respond to emergencies at sea when boats get into difficulty. The authorities on both sides have pursued various enforcement and safety measures.
The dangers posed by these crossings have been documented repeatedly. The issue has prompted ongoing policy discussions and various enforcement efforts from both French and British authorities.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Two men dead and two women severely burned following fire on overcrowded mega-dinghy heading for Britain from France”.