A tragic incident occurred off the northern French coast on Tuesday, resulting in the loss of at least 12 migrant lives.
The migrants were attempting to cross the Channel to England when their boat ran into trouble.
French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin who announced the death toll confirmed that a major rescue operation was underway, adding that the incident occurred off Wimereux, a town located five kilometers from Boulogne-sur-Mer.
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According to Darmanin, two migrants are still missing, and several others were injured in the incident as the boat was carrying dozens of people when it sank.
He said the French government has mobilized all necessary services to respond to the disaster, stressing that he would travel to the area to meet with officials and oversee the rescue efforts.
French maritime authorities have deployed emergency services, including navy helicopters, fishing boats, and military vessels, to assist in the operation.
He emphasized that rescue efforts are ongoing, with a focus on finding the missing migrants and providing medical assistance to those injured.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of migrants attempting to cross the Channel from France to England. Many migrants pay smugglers thousands of euros to make the perilous journey, often in small and overcrowded boats.
The French and British governments have been working to address the issue, with British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer and French President, Emmanuel Macron pledging to strengthen cooperation on the matter earlier this summer.
The incident is a tragic reminder of the risks faced by migrants attempting to cross the Channel. The rescue efforts and subsequent investigations will aim to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
