126 castaways rescued at sea off the coast of Calais

126 people were rescued in Pas-de-Calais, the maritime prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea reported in a press release on Tuesday evening, July 9. “Several migrant boats in difficulty were reported to the Gris-Nez regional operational surveillance and rescue centre (Cross)”we can read.

During the night from Monday to Tuesday, a first rescue boat was mobilized. “Once on site, the patrol boat crew noticed that the boat was stationary and that the passengers were asking for assistance.”The team then picked up the 63 people on board before dropping them off at the port of Calais.

At the same time, still in the middle of the night, “A boat departure has been reported in the Touquet area (Pas-de-Calais) by the internal security forces”. Another rescue vessel was then engaged. On site, the team noted the presence of three people in the water while the boat continued on its way. Once they had been rescued, the crew assisted the other 41 people still on board. The 44 people were then dropped off at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Finally, early in the morning, a third boat of migrants was reported, according to the press release. This time off the Walde lighthouse, in the Calais-Est sector. The rescue vessel noted on site that “The boat was very loaded and moving slowly. At first, the migrants refused assistance. Then, in the middle of the morning, some of the people on board agreed to be rescued.” 19 people were therefore taken care of and then dropped off in Calais.