Tragedy in the English Channel: Three Migrants Die as Mega-Dinghy Capsizes Off France

Three migrants, including two women and a child, have tragically lost their lives while attempting to cross the English Channel after their mega-dinghy capsized off the coast of northern France.

According to the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, approximately 105 people were on board the vessel—which authorities referred to as a “water taxi”—when disaster struck at around 10.30am local time.

“The situation is still being assessed and remains subject to change. State services and rescue teams are fully mobilised,” the authority said in an official statement.

Emergency services received desperate calls for rescue from passengers aboard the boat, according to the maritime prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea. A rescue ship subsequently arrived in the port of Calais mid-morning to begin disembarking those involved in the incident.

Official data indicates that 22 people have now died this year alone while trying to make the perilous crossing from France to the UK.

The latest tragedy unfolds as the UK government prepares to open a new legal route for refugees, with a specific focus on prioritizing Afghan women and girls alongside Palestinians. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce the revival of this UK resettlement scheme, which has remained suspended since 2021.