at least five migrants, including a four-year-old child, died during an attempt to cross the Channel

At least five migrants, including a four-year-old child, and a woman died during an attempt to cross the Channel on the night of Monday to Tuesday April 23, 2024 at Wimereux beach (Pas-de-Calais). ), indicated the National Sea Rescue Society (SNSM) to France Bleu Nord, confirming information from The voice of the North. Around forty migrants were also rescued.

Around 5 a.m., a small boat, with more than 110 people, set out to sea from German Beach, in Wimereux, details the prefecture. After an initial stranding on a sandbank, the boat set out to sea again. A crowd movement apparently occurred in the overloaded boat, causing several victims.

The prefect will visit the site during the day. An investigation was entrusted to the public prosecutor of Boulogne-sur-Mer. It will help clarify the circumstances of this event.

A marked increase in the number of crossings

At the beginning of April, nearly 800 migrants crossed the Channel Sea over a weekend, according to the British and French authorities, thus breaking a new record for the first quarter of 2024. Since the start of 2024, the number of crossings is significantly increasing compared to last year: in the first quarter, between January 1 and March 27, 4,600 exiles managed to cross the Channel according to figures published by London on March 27, i.e. an increase of 23% compared to last year at the same period. These data mark a new record for the number of crossings at this time of year.