Channel claims three more migrant small-boat victims

At least three people died while trying to cross the English Channel to the UK yesterday morning.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

A large-scale rescue operation, launched from a beach in Sangatte, in northern France, resulted in four migrants being taken to hospital, the French Prefet Maritime said.

Many firefighters and law enforcement officers have been deployed in vast numbers at the Tom Souville base, with authorities warning the death toll may rise as the operation continues.

Around 50 migrants have reportedly been taken into the care of French humanitarian charity Utopia 56, while 10 people with severe hypothermia are being cared for by firefighters. The deaths, which occurred in French waters, are the first in the Channel since October and bring the total number of people who have died attempting the crossing this year to at least 52.

Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said lives had been lost at sea “because ruthless criminals running the small boat trade are overloading people into unseaworthy vessels”. She added: “We continue to support the French authorities who are leading on the response to the incident, which took place in French waters.