Authorities in France have reported the rescue of 107 migrants attempting to navigate the Channel from France to England.On Christmas Day, a total of 12 rescue operations were conducted along the northern French coastline, including one involving a boat that encountered engine difficulties, as stated by France’s Channel and North Sea maritime prefecture.
In the morning hours, 30 individuals were saved from a vessel near Dunkirk, while the remaining passengers expressed a desire to proceed and were subsequently taken into British custody upon entering British waters, according to maritime officials.
Later in the day, another boat with engine issues was detected near Dunkirk, and all 51 individuals aboard were successfully rescued.
The statement emphasized that the English Channel is “a particularly perilous area, especially during the height of winter for unstable and overloaded vessels.”
This year, at least 73 migrants have tragically lost their lives attempting to cross the Channel to Britain, as reported by the Pas-de-Calais authorities, marking 2024 as the deadliest year on record for such crossings.
Tens of thousands more have successfully reached Britain, where the government is committed to intensifying efforts against people-smuggling syndicates.
In November, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged for enhanced international collaboration against these gangs, which he labeled as a “global security threat akin to terrorism.”
