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Four people have died while attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats from France to the UK, French authorities have confirmed.
The first incident happened late on Wednesday night when a small boat overturned near Hardelot on France’s northern coast. Emergency services responded to the scene after the vessel capsized at around 11:30 pm local time.
A man believed to be in his 30s or 40s died in the accident. Six other people, including a one-year-old child, suffered minor injuries and received medical treatment.
French officials said the vessel was being used as a "taxi boat" — a type of boat that travels along the coastline and collects migrants waiting in the water before continuing the journey across the Channel. Authorities stopped the boat and launched an investigation into the incident.
In a separate tragedy, three more people were found dead aboard another small boat that had departed from the Dunkirk area overnight. The vessel was spotted near a breakwater at around 6:00 am on Thursday.
Rescue teams discovered three unconscious people on board. Despite efforts by emergency responders, all three were later pronounced dead.
The deaths came as several hundred migrants successfully crossed the Channel and reached the UK on Wednesday.
A spokesperson for the UK government described the deaths as a tragedy and warned about the dangers of people-smuggling networks that profit from vulnerable migrants seeking a better life.
According to data from the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory, 162 people lost their lives while attempting to cross the English Channel between 2018 and 2025.
Small-boat crossings have become the most common method of illegal entry into the UK since 2020. Home Office figures show that more than 13,000 people have arrived in the UK by small boats so far this year.
Although crossings remain high, the number is reported to be lower than during the same period last year. UK officials say increased cooperation with France and stronger enforcement measures have helped reduce some dangerous journeys.
The latest incidents highlight the continuing risks faced by migrants attempting the dangerous Channel crossing and the ongoing challenge for both UK and French authorities.
