Four people die trying to board boat in Channel crossing attempt

Four people die trying to board boat in Channel crossing attempt

Four individuals have perished near the northern French coast during an English Channel crossing attempt, according to local authorities. The Pas-de-Calais prefecture reported that the tragedy occurred when two men and two women were swept into the water by strong currents after attempting to board a water taxi. The official described the incident as happening in a region known for hazardous sea conditions.

Local official François-Xavier Lauch noted that the death toll remains provisional. He also mentioned that one individual was hospitalized with hypothermia and suffered minor injuries, while 37 others were taken to the hospital for treatment.

Rescue operations continued on Thursday morning after the incident off the coast of Boulogne, near the beaches of Équihen and Écault, south of Calais. Firefighters and intensive care units reached the scene at 07:30 local time (06:30 BST).

Recent weather in the Channel has been more stable compared to earlier in the year, despite the ongoing challenges. Crossings typically rise during summer, but the past three years have seen an overall increase in boat arrivals from France to the UK. In 2025, 41,472 people reached the UK via small boats, and by 26 March 2026, 4,441 individuals had made the journey.

Although the 2026 figure is 33% lower than the 6,642 recorded in the same period of 2025, officials suggest rougher conditions in the Channel might have influenced the numbers. Meanwhile, people smugglers have adopted new strategies, using taxi-boats to evade police detection. Instead of inflating vessels near coastal patrols, gangs now launch them from concealed spots, often dozens of kilometers from primary departure points. These boats then traverse the shoreline, resembling taxis or buses, to transport passengers waiting in the sea.