Tragic Boat Capsizing in English Channel Claims 12 Lives

At least 12 people have tragically died after a boat capsized in the English Channel this morning, according to French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. The incident occurred off the coast of Wimereux in Pas-de-Calais.

Darmanin confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media, stating, “Terrible shipwreck in Pas-de-Calais, off Wimereux. The provisional toll stands at 12 dead, two missing, and several injured.” He also noted that emergency services are actively searching for the missing and providing care to the victims.

A total of 65 people have been recovered, including the 12 who sadly lost their lives. The French coastguard reported that several of the 53 survivors are in urgent need of medical attention, and a medical post has been set up at Boulogne-sur-Mer to provide the necessary care.

The coastguard emphasized the inherent dangers of crossing the English Channel, even in seemingly calm conditions, and reiterated the unpredictable and often hazardous weather that can make such journeys perilous.

This tragic event highlights the ongoing risks faced by those attempting to cross the Channel, often in unseaworthy vessels, in search of safety and a better life.