At least 12 migrants killed after Channel crossing disaster | World news

At least twelve people have died and two are missing after a boat carrying migrants was “torn apart” while crossing the English Channel to Britain.

The seven-meter-long boat with 65 people on board sank late this morning near Cap Gris-Nez, a cape off the coast of the French Pas-de-Calais.

Dozens of people then ended up in the choppy waters of the English Channel and a nearby French-flagged ship sailed towards the stricken boat to come to their aid.

A rescue operation with three helicopters was initiated.

Prefectural officials said that of the more than 50 people rescued, “several require emergency medical care.” Two are in critical condition.

However, the death toll could be as high as 13, a shipping industry insider told AFP. Three of them are minors.

France's outgoing Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said on X: “Terrible shipwreck in the Pas-de-Calais off Wimereux. The provisional toll is 12 dead, two missing and several injured.”

“All state services are being mobilized to find the missing and care for the victims. I appeal to elected officials and emergency services.”

Olivier Barbarin, the mayor of Le Portel near the fishing port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, said: “Unfortunately, the bottom of the boat is torn open.”

He added: “It's a big drama.”

According to VesselFinder, the French ship Minck The rescue workers who came to the boat's aid are still on site. Darmanin thanked the crew and rescue workers for their rescue efforts.

Shadow Home Secretary James Cleverly told X: “This is tragic and things cannot continue like this. It is not enough to talk about breaking up the gangs when the real-life consequences are so severe.”

“Labour must restore the deterrence the NCA says we need to prevent the exploitation of vulnerable people and secure our border.”

The incident sparked anger and frustration among human rights groups on both sides of the Channel.

Utopia 56, a French migrant support group, said on X: “The Interior Ministry and Gérald Darmanin must be held accountable for their arrogance, incompetence and violence.”

More than 2,100 asylum seekers crossed the English Channel between August 27 and yesterday, according to official figures. So far this year, around 12,600 people have made the journey.

But activists point out that crossing the English Channel – often by smugglers – is one of the few options for asylum seekers, most of whom are fleeing war-torn or oppressive countries.

“Nobody is going to risk their life crossing the Channel in a small boat unless they feel they have no other choice,” said Alex Fraser, director of refugee assistance at the British Red Cross in the UK.

“More safe routes are urgently needed to prevent people making dangerous journeys to the UK.

According to the International Organization for Migration, at least 30 people have died or disappeared this year while trying to reach the UK and apply for asylum.

Dr Wanda Wyporska, chief executive of Safe Passage International, told Metro.co.uk that today's “tragedy” shows that the UK also needs to review its immigration policy.

“Far too many children, women and men have lost their lives in terrible ways across the Channel this year. Every single one of them could have been avoided,” she said.

“Today’s tragedy must be the last.”

“Without safe alternatives to seek protection in the UK, people fleeing war and persecution will continue to make dangerous journeys into the hands of smugglers because they have no other choice. We cannot accept this Government's refusal to prioritise opening new safe routes.”

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