world
French Rescue Operation Saves Over 70 Migrants After Channel Boat Capsizes
French authorities launched an air and sea rescue near Boulogne after a migrant dinghy capsized. More than 70 people were recovered from the water, with five taken to hospital.
May 23, 1:37 PM·1m read1 source
pakistantoday.com.pkAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
French authorities rescued more than 70 migrants from the English Channel after their boat capsized near Boulogne. A major air and sea operation began shortly before 1pm when reports reached officials of a migrant dinghy in distress. Multiple rescue boats reached the area near Hardelot beach, several miles south of the French port.
Rescuers found around 70 migrants in the water. Rescue services said five migrants were in immediate danger of drowning and were removed from the sea in a semi-conscious state. Three of those individuals were taken to hospital in Boulogne for treatment.
French officials described the vessel as a so-called taxi boat that arrived off the beach around 12:30pm. The boat capsized under the weight of people attempting to board. Five hours after the rescue, another migrant dinghy launched from the same stretch of beach.
A French patrol ship is now escorting that vessel toward UK waters. GB News reported from Dover that more than 200 migrants arrived in three dinghies on the same day. At least three other boats failed to complete the crossing. Since Friday, more than 600 migrants have reached the UK by small boat.
