French authorities said the death toll from a migrant boat capsized in the English Channel has risen to at least six. More than 50 people were saved.
The search and rescue operation, involving five French vessels, two British vessels and a helicopter, is underway. The accident happened around 5 a.m. PT near Cape Gris-Nez on the northern coast France.
Initially, one person was reported to have died and five who were transported by helicopter to a hospital in Calais in northern France in serious condition. 37 of the rescued people were also transported to Calais.
The rescue operation in the English Channel is underway Reuters
Boats tried to cross the English Channel
According to British media, citing French authorities, at least several boats with illegal immigrants were trying to cross the English Channel at the time of the accident.
From the beginning of this year to and including August 10, 15,826 people entered the UK in this way, which is around 14 per cent lower than in the same period last year, which was a record. On Thursday, 755 illegal immigrants arrived in the UK, the highest daily total this year.
Main photo source: Reuters