Fatalities reported after small boat crossing in English Channel

An investigation has been launched after deaths occurred during a small boat crossing of the English Channel, according to the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor. French rescue vessels monitored the dinghy until RNLI boats met it in English waters. The Home Office believes roughly 149 migrants were on the craft.

Those rescued are being moved to short-term holding centres in Kent for standard processing, including health, security and biometric screening. Prefect François-Xavier Lauch thanked emergency services, especially firefighters, for their response. The incident adds to a recent surge of small-boat arrivals, with hundreds reaching the UK in the past week.