Two Women Die in Migrant Boat Sinking Off French Coast

Two female migrants died after their boat sank off the French coast overnight while attempting to cross the Channel to the UK, French authorities confirmed. A rescue operation launched in the early hours after a migrant dinghy carrying 65 people encountered difficulties off Hardelot beach, south of Boulogne.

The incident, involving a so-called taxi boat, unfolded around 3am as dozens of people tried to scramble on board.

French authorities stated that the two young women died while trying to cross from northern France to the UK in a small boat carrying 82 people on Sunday. A second migrant boat nearby continued its journey to the UK during the incident, according to authorities. At least 200 migrants are on boats heading to UK waters so far today, GB News reported.

More than 100 migrants have made it to the 12-mile mark and been picked up by Border Force vessels, according to GB News. More than 360 illegal migrants arrived at the Border Force processing centre in Dover harbour on Saturday, GB News reported. More than 300 small boat migrants launched from France and Belgium to avoid police beach patrols.

An Iraqi migrant died after being stabbed in the French port of Calais yesterday and died in hospital this morning despite medics' efforts, French police said. The stabbed Iraqi migrant in Calais was the second migrant stabbed in Calais in just over a week. Three migrants were shot and injured near Dunkirk last Wednesday, French authorities said.

Authorities in northern France are struggling to cope with a surge in migrant violence involving rival groups. French officials stated that the number of people reaching Britain from France has dropped this year compared with 2025. A new deal signed by the Home Secretary provides the French with a further £662 million to fund a specialist team of public order officers.