A 40-year-old man of Indian heritage tragically died on Sunday while attempting the dangerous Channel crossing from northern France to the UK.
Authorities in Calais reported that the man suffered a cardiac arrest after his inflatable dinghy—holding around 50 men, women, and children—deflated shortly after leaving the French coast.
Passengers were forced to swim back to shore, where the man collapsed, and resuscitation attempts by emergency services were ultimately unsuccessful.
The incident, which occurred around 5:30 a.m. local time off the Tardinghen coast, brings this year’s death toll for Channel crossings to a record 57.
Despite mounting fatalities, the journey remains a frequent pursuit. According to Home Office data, 29,642 people have crossed the Channel in small boats in 2024, already exceeding the previous year’s total.
While unlikely to surpass 2022’s high of 45,755, crossings continue steadily, with 64 individuals making the journey on Saturday alone.
Following favourable weather conditions this week, French officials reported 57 attempted crossings, of which 32 were intercepted.
The dinghy involved in the fatal incident was reported to be in poor condition, causing it to deflate soon after departure. Some passengers were without lifejackets and struggled in the water before reaching shore.
Enver Solomon, CEO of the Refugee Council, described the incident as “tragic and preventable,” stressing that desperation drives these individuals to risk their lives in search of safety.
Meanwhile, a Home Office spokesperson confirmed the UK’s commitment to dismantling people-smuggling networks through intensified border security efforts.
An investigation into the incident is now underway, led by the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office.
