Three die after migrant boat gets into trouble in Channel

A 10-year-old child and two women aged 30 have died after a small boat carrying migrants got into difficulty while attempting to cross the English Channel from northern France to the UK.

Boat carrying 105 people

The boat, described by French authorities as a “taxi-boat”, departed from Blériot Plage in Sangatte on Monday morning with 105 people on board. A distress call prompted an emergency response from French authorities.

Three passengers pronounced dead

Three passengers were treated on the boat before an emergency medical team arrived by helicopter. The three were later pronounced dead, according to the French Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea.

Investigation into cause of deaths

The Pas-de-Calais prefecture said its initial findings indicated that the deaths may have been caused by trampling. An investigation has been opened to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the incident.

Nine others treated in Calais

The remaining 102 passengers were brought to the port of Calais. Nine people required treatment from emergency services after arriving on shore, while the others were assessed following the incident.

Officials blame smuggling networks

François-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, blamed people-smuggling networks for exposing vulnerable migrants, including children, to dangerous Channel crossings. He said the incident demonstrated the risks involved in the journeys.

Taxi-boats used for crossings

French authorities said the vessel was a taxi-boat, a type of operation in which migrants are required to walk or wade into the water before boarding. Three other people died following similar departures from the French coast last week.

Death toll reaches 20 this year

Monday’s deaths bring the number of migrants who have died attempting to cross the Channel in 2026 to 20, according to Pas-de-Calais authorities. At the same point last year, the figure stood at 21.

Channel remains dangerous

Thousands of migrants attempt to travel from France to Britain each year, crossing one of the world’s busiest shipping routes. Attempts generally increase during warmer summer months when sea conditions are often calmer.

UK records 781 arrivals

The UK recorded its highest daily number of migrant arrivals so far this year on Wednesday, with 781 people arriving in 10 small boats, according to Home Office figures.

Boats reach Kent undetected

Two boats also reached the UK coast last week without being intercepted by British authorities. The vessels arrived at Folkestone and Samphire Hoe in Kent.

UK-France returns agreement

Britain and France agreed a “one in, one out” returns arrangement in July last year as part of efforts to discourage small-boat crossings. Under the agreement, Britain can return some arrivals to France while accepting an equivalent number of people from France who are considered eligible to come to the UK.

Crossings remain below 2025 level

The UK government said in August that it had made progress in reducing small-boat crossings but acknowledged that further action was needed against people-smuggling networks.

More than 18,000 cross in 2026

A total of 18,609 people had successfully crossed the Channel in small boats in 2026, according to the figures provided. That represents a 42% decrease compared with the same period in 2025, when 32,188 people had made the journey.