Key facts
- One person died and 72 others were rescued from a small boat near Gravelines.
- The boat was carrying over 110 people attempting to reach the UK.
- French coastguard responded to a distress call overnight Thursday to Friday.
- Three individuals were injured, one requiring urgent medical care.
- The incident occurred after 494 migrants arrived in the UK on Thursday.
A small boat carrying over 110 people attempting to reach the UK was intercepted near Gravelines, France, resulting in one fatality and the rescue of 72 individuals. The French coastguard monitored the vessel overnight from Thursday to Friday, responding to a distress call. Upon boarding, rescuers found one person who needed CPR and, despite dispatching a helicopter, the individual was confirmed dead. Three other people on board were injured, with one requiring urgent medical attention.
This incident occurred the day after 494 migrants successfully arrived in the UK. The seven boats that made the crossing on Thursday were the first since August 17, when approximately 250 people reportedly arrived. Analysis of government data indicates a decrease in overall Channel crossings this year, with 16,391 migrants having crossed so far, a 43% reduction compared to the same period last year and a 17% drop from 2024.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated she would not be complacent about the declining numbers, emphasizing that more action is needed. The government is reportedly continuing efforts to close hotels housing asylum seekers, aiming to transition them to larger sites like former military barracks. Government figures from June showed 16,000 asylum seekers residing in Home Office hotels, a 50% decrease from the previous year.