More than 50 migrants have survived after an engine failure in the Channel, while two bodies have been found at sea. Investigation by the Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor’s office into a boat found by the French coastguard.
The French coastguard says it launched a rescue operation after the boat’s engine failed.
The rescue team managed to save 51 people who were taken to the dock in Boulogne-sur-Mer and given medical treatment. At the same time, a body was reported to the French authorities on Tuesday, after which 2 more bodies were found by a patrol boat.
It has not yet been established whether the bodies belong to migrants or not. The prosecutor’s office in Boulogne-sur-Mer has opened an investigation into the case. The number of migrants killed crossing the English Channel this year totals 50, according to a statement by the French coastguard.
In addition, according to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), 11 more migrants have died in similar situations.
Refugee organisations report that migrant deaths have increased. They have asked the government for help in developing safe routes for people to travel in order to save the lives of migrants. Around 263 people arrived in the UK on Wednesday by boat. This brings the total number of migrants for the year to 31,535, according to the Home Office.
