Two people have died and at least 16 others have been injured after a migrant boat attempting to cross the English Channel from France to the UK ran aground off the northern French coast, authorities confirmed.
The overcrowded vessel, carrying 82 people, reportedly set off overnight from Hardelot beach, near Boulogne-sur-Mer in northern France. French officials said the engine failed during the journey, causing the boat to drift before it eventually ran aground.
Christophe Marx, secretary-general of the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, said emergency services responded after the incident unfolded at sea. A French maritime gendarmerie vessel rescued 17 passengers and transported them to Boulogne-sur-Mer, while the remaining 65 people were still on board the grounded boat when authorities arrived.
Two women, believed to be in their 20s and originally from Sudan, were found dead at the scene. Officials said the preliminary assessment suggests they likely died from suffocation, consistent with overcrowding conditions often seen on makeshift migrant boats.
Three other individuals were reported to be in a critical condition after suffering severe fuel-related burns in the lower part of the vessel. A full investigation has been launched into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
This latest tragedy marks the third fatal incident involving attempted English Channel crossings in just over a month, highlighting ongoing risks faced by migrants attempting the dangerous journey between France and the UK.
In previous incidents, multiple people lost their lives off the northern French coast while attempting to board inflatable boats bound for Britain. Authorities in both France and the UK have carried out arrests and investigations linked to people-smuggling operations and endangerment offences.
The UK and French governments recently agreed a new multimillion-euro cooperation deal aimed at reducing illegal Channel crossings. The agreement includes increased border patrols, enhanced surveillance in northern France, and expanded enforcement efforts targeting smuggling networks.
Despite these measures, crossings continue. So far this year, more than 6,000 people have reached the UK after crossing the English Channel, although this represents a decline compared with the same period last year. Officials have attributed part of the reduction to more difficult weather conditions.
Migrant support organisations have warned that the death toll at the Franco-British border remains significant. Advocacy group Utopia 56 estimates that at least 172 people have died over the past three years in connection with attempted crossings, including more than 120 deaths at sea.
The latest incident is expected to intensify pressure on both governments as they continue efforts to tackle irregular migration across one of the world’s busiest and most dangerous maritime routes.