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Migrant dies seeking to reach UK across Channel: France

AFP
Friday, Mar 21, 2025

LILLE, France: A migrant has died in northern France while attempting to cross the Channel, French authorities said on Thursday, less than 24 hours after another would-be asylum seeker died in similar circumstances.

The latest tragedy brings to eight the number of deaths since the beginning of the year as people seek to reach Britain on overcrowded boats in search of a better life. At around 11:30 pm on Wednesday night a boat carrying around 40 people set off from the port of Dunkirk, according to the Channel and North Sea Maritime Prefecture. At around 3:00 am on Thursday, the vessel picked up new passengers in Gravelines, a town southwest of Dunkirk. Shortly afterwards, three people in difficulty were rescued at sea, while a group of 12 other migrants on board the vessel requested to be evacuated, the prefecture said.