Migrant boat carrying 50 capsizes in English Channel - at least 12 dead as rescue mission launched
Emerhency services have arrived en masse at Le Portel
REUTERS
At least 12 migrants are thought to be dead after a boat carrying them capsized while trying to cross the English Channel, a French coastguard spokesman has said.
A major operation is underway to rescue more than 50 people - with earlier coastguard reports putting the number of those in a "critical condition" at more than 10.
Emergency services were deployed at approximately 11.30am local time after the vessel flipped off the coast of Le Portel, on the outskirts of Boulogne-sur-Mer on France's north coast.
Those on board are understood to have entered the water in the Channel after it got into difficulty off Cap Gris-Nez, to the north of Le Portel, earlier this morning.
At least 10 are thought to be dead after the boat capsized (stock)GETTYLocal media reported that "several people" had suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of the incident, while harbours and beaches nearby have been locked down as emergency services flocked to the scene.
An advanced medical post has been set up in Boulogne-sur-Mer to administer emergency care to those brought back to shore, GB News understands.
The mayor of Le Portel, Olivier Barbarin, has shut beaches at the town's hoverport to allow emergency helicopters to land nearby.
Just before 3pm on Tuesday, he said the death toll had risen to 13 after initial reports had placed the figure between five and 10 - but other officials insisted the number was 12.
France's Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, is set to be making an appearance on the site later this afternoon, according to French broadcaster CNews.
Darmanin said: "Terrible shipwreck in Pas-de-Calais, off Wimereux. The provisional toll stands at 12 dead, two missing and several injured.
MORE ON THE MIGRANT CRISIS:
The hoverport in Le Portel has been shut off by the town's mayor
"All government services are mobilised to find the missing and take care of the victims. I am on my way to visit the elected officials and the emergency services."
While the Nord-Pas-de-Calais prefect, a regional state representative, is also on the way.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described the deaths of at least 12 migrants in the Channel as “horrifying and deeply tragic”.
She said: “What has happened off the coast at Le Portel is a horrifying and deeply tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the loved ones of all those who have lost their lives, and all those who have been seriously injured.
“I am in touch with my counterpart in France, Gerald Darmanin, and am being kept updated on the situation.
“We pay tribute to the French coastguard and emergency services who undoubtedly saved many lives, but sadly could not save everyone. We will await the results of the French investigation into how this particular incident unfolded.
“The gangs behind this appalling and callous trade in human lives have been cramming more and more people onto increasingly unseaworthy dinghies, and sending them out into the Channel even in very poor weather.
“They do not care about anything but the profits they make, and that is why – as well as mourning the awful loss of life – the work to dismantle these dangerous and criminal smuggler gangs and to strengthen border security is so vital and must proceed apace.”
The capsize follows the news that some 7,000 small boat migrants have successfully crossed the English Channel since Labour's election victory at the start of July.
The milestone was reached after 150 migrants made their way to Britain in just one morning on August 28.
It marked a spike in arrivals after a spate of poor weather prevented smugglers in France from launching the small vessels off the country's coast for over a week.