According to French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, at least 12 people have perished after a small boat carrying about 70 migrants capsized in the English Channel on Tuesday, just off the country’s northern coast near Boulogne-sur-Mer.
According to Darmanin, there was an ongoing search and rescue operation involving multiple military vessels, two fishing boats, fire brigade and navy helicopters.
“After a migrant boat capsizes in the English Channel, at least 12 people die.”
The number of fatalities could still rise, according to local authorities, who also reported that a number of additional people had been rescued but were still in “serious condition.” There are currently at least two individuals listed as “missing.”The victims were treated at a first-aid post in Le Portel, a suburb of Boulogne-sur- Mer, where the mayor, Olivier Barbarin, stated, “Unfortunately, the bottom of the boat ripped open.” 13 people had died, according to Barbarin’s previous estimate.
According to the Minck’s captain Etienne Baggio, the boat was trying to cross from France to the United Kingdom when it was spotted in trouble by another French ship, the Minck, which had assisted it before it broke up.
The local sea temperature was about 20 degrees Celsius, or 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Mayor Barbarin described the deadliest single incident involving migrants in the English Channel this year as “a huge drama.” Since January, about 25 people have already perished while trying to cross.
According to Barbarin, rescue choppers could now use the town’s abandoned hoverport.Interior Minister Darmanin is anticipated in Boulogne-sur-Mer this afternoon, per the local newspaper Voix du Nord.Darmanin posted on social media, “All government services have been mobilised to find the missing and take care of the victims.” “I’m headed to the emergency services and elected officials.”
Source: AFP, AP
