More than 22,000 migrants arrived in England by crossing the Channel in 2024 (file).
Lille, France:
Eight migrants died early Sunday when their overcrowded ship capsized as they tried to cross the Channel from France to England, French authorities said, less than two weeks after the deadliest disaster this year.
The French and British governments have been trying to stem the flow of migrants for years, paying smugglers thousands of euros per person to cross from France to England in small boats.
A police source told AFP the accident occurred shortly after the boat was boarded.
Regional prefect Jacques Billant will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. (0800 GMT), his office said.
Maritime authorities said Saturday that there have been numerous attempts by migrants to make the perilous crossing in small boats in recent days, with 200 people rescued in 24 hours on Friday and Saturday alone.
This month, at least 12 migrants, mostly from Eritrea, died when their boat carrying dozens of people capsized off the coast of northern France.
It was the deadliest disaster this year, bringing the number of migrant deaths in the Channel to 37, up from 12 in 2023.
More than 22,000 migrants have arrived in England by crossing the Channel since the start of this year, British officials say.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron pledged this summer to strengthen “collaboration” in tackling the rise in the number of undocumented migrants.
Crossing the Channel is often perilous. In November 2021, 27 migrants died when their boat capsized, the deadliest disaster to date.
French authorities try to prevent migrants from entering the water, but once they are above water, they do not intervene except to rescue them, citing safety concerns.
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