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Two Migrants Killed and Two Injured in Channel Crossing Attempt
- •Two men died and two women were injured while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to Britain on Sunday.
- •The two injured women, both from Somalia, suffered extensive burns which may have been caused by a chemical reaction between petrol and seawater.
- •A boat carrying around 120 people departed from the coast near Berck, with about 20 migrants left in the water after failing to board.
- •French prosecutors have launched an investigation into the tragic incident as the death toll for Channel crossings rises this year.
- •France remains a primary departure point for migrants risking dangerous sea journeys to reach Britain using overcrowded boats.
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Two men died in cardiac arrest and two women suffered extensive burns after attempting to cross the English Channel from France to Britain on Sunday. The injured women, both from Somalia, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries that may have been caused by a chemical reaction between petrol and seawater.
At least 24 migrants have died along the maritime border between France and Britain since the beginning of the year, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. This includes a recent separate incident where three people, including a 10-year-old child, died during another crossing attempt.
Crossings involve one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and expose migrants to rough seas, overcrowded vessels, and the risk of drowning. Many migrants rely on smugglers, paying thousands of dollars for places on overcrowded and poorly equipped inflatable boats.
