Three migrants dead as small boat tries to cross Channel to Britain with major rescue operation underway in northern France
WATCH: Migrants spotted in Channel on the way to Britain on Christmas Day
GB News
Three migrants have died attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK, with a major rescue operation underway in northern France.
The emergency response began at around 6.15am on a beach in Sangatte, near Calais where approximately fifty people were left stranded in the water.
A large-scale rescue operation is taking place at the Tom Souville base, with firefighters and law enforcement officers deployed in significant numbers.
A Dauphin helicopter from the National Navy was deployed to the scene, recovering three unresponsive individuals from the water.
Two migrants have died attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK, with a major rescue operation underway in northern France, French media reportsGB NewsThe casualties were immediately transported to the Tom Souville nautical base where emergency medical teams attempted first aid.
Medical teams from SMUR (emergency medical services) pronounced three individuals deceased. In total, 48 people were involved in the rescue operation, including the three who lost their lives.
GB news can confirm that several boats did launch successfully and dozens of illegal migrants have now arrived in Dover for the fifth day running.
Ground emergency services provided medical assistance to 45 people, with most requiring treatment for hypothermia.
Four individuals in serious condition were transported to hospital centres in Calais and Boulogne-sur-Mer for further treatment.
The rescue efforts come amid a series of recent Channel crossings, with migrants making the perilous journey on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and December 27 - marking the first time small boats have crossed on all these dates since 2018.
Official figures show 305 people arrived in the UK via small boat on Friday and 322 arrived on Saturday on six boats.
The 407 arrivals on Boxing Day marked a significant milestone, as more than 150,000 people have now made the crossing from France since records began in January 2018.
Home Office figures reveal 36,204 people have arrived since the start of 2024, marking a 23 per cent increase from the same period last year, though down 21 per cent from 2022.
GB news can confirm that several boats did launch successfully and dozens of illegal migrants have now arrived in Dover (pictured this morning) for the fifth day running
GB News
Boats launched this morning from the same stretch of beach where the deaths have been reported
GB News
A Home Office spokesperson said: "We all want to end dangerous small boat crossings, which threaten lives and undermine our border security.
"The people-smuggling gangs do not care if the vulnerable people they exploit live or die, as long as they pay."
The spokesperson added: "We will stop at nothing to dismantle their business models and bring them to justice."
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