Dozens Injured, At Least Three Dead in English Channel Migrant Dinghy Capsize
A "water taxi" carrying approximately 105 migrants capsized off the coast of Calais, France, with rescue operations ongoing.
At least three migrants died and dozens more sustained severe injuries when a large inflatable boat capsized in the English Channel off the coast of Wissant, near Calais, on Monday morning. A spokesperson for the Pas-de-Calais prefecture confirmed the provisional death toll and stated that many others were injured.
The vessel, described by authorities as a "water taxi," was carrying approximately 105 people. The prefecture noted that sea conditions were calm and the weather was good at the time of the incident. As of 10:30 a.m. local time, six rescue boats were still operating in the area, searching for any potential survivors.
This latest tragedy follows a recent incident last week where three migrants died while attempting to board a boat. French prosecutors have initiated criminal investigations into these events, with judicial police actively investigating.
The cumulative death toll for migrants attempting to reach Britain via the Channel this year has now reached at least 24, including women and children. These deaths have resulted from drownings and crushings in overcrowded vessels. The deadliest single incident occurred in November 2021, when 27 migrants died after a dinghy sank en route to the UK.
Recent days have seen multiple attempts to cross the Channel from the northern French coast, with smugglers reportedly exploiting favorable weather conditions. Data from the UK Home Office indicates that 781 migrants arrived in Britain last Wednesday, marking the highest single-day total for the year. However, the total number of migrants reaching England via this route since January stands at 18,565, a decrease of over 40 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Despite efforts to disrupt supply routes for smuggling operations, people-trafficking gangs appear to continue acquiring inflatable boats and outboard motors with relative ease.
Last week also featured two instances of "uncontrolled landings" where migrant boats reached the UK without interception by authorities. In another incident, a dinghy launched near Bayeux, Normandy, completed a journey lasting 38 hours. The 51 migrants aboard this vessel were eventually rescued by RNLI lifeboats and transferred to a Border Force cutter, arriving in Dover in the early hours of Wednesday.