Four people, two men and two women, have died after trying to cross the English Channel in a small boat which sunk off the coast of Calais – another 42 were rescued
Migrants prepare to board a dinghy before attempting to sail into the English Channel on April 1, 2026 in Gravelines, France(Image: Tom Nicholson/Getty)
Two men and two women have died after attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat.The head of the Pas-de-Calais region, Francois-Xavier Lauch, said the four migrants were ”far out to sea” off the coast when their bodies were found by authorities. Another 42 were rescued and brought to shore by French authorities, with one person treated for hypothermia and 37 taken to hospital.
“We sadly have to report four deaths this morning,” Mr Lauch told reporters, adding they were attempting to board a “taxi-boat” – another term for dinghy – near the seaside town of Equihen-Plage.
“I have to commend the actions of our officers and firefighters who, as you know, are deployed every day to stop these crossings,” the prefect said.
Speaking of the four people who died, he said: “They were already quite far into the sea. The currents, which can be dangerous here, swept them away. This provisional toll – and I insist that it is provisional – states four deceased: two men, two women,”
Dozens more were brought back to shore in France after the attempted crossing(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
One person also suffered hypothermia, and another 37 other people are currently being treated by emergency services.
A number of dinghies are currently at sea and being monitored by the French authorities, including a military helicopter, Mr Lauch added. “The responsibility lies with the smugglers,” he told reporters.
A government spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to hear about the deaths in French waters today.
“Every death in the Channel is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people for profit. We will continue working relentlessly with the French and our partners overseas to prevent these perilous journeys.
“The French authorities are leading the response to this incident and we are supporting their investigation.”
The Calais regional head said ‘a number’ of dinghies are currently in the Channel(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Charlotte Khan, head of advocacy and public affairs at Care4Calais, said: “Another four lives have been needlessly lost to our deadly border.
“As our Government continues to focus on ineffective deterrents, tragedies continue to happen. These deaths are on their hands. They could end the deaths on our border overnight by introducing safe routes for refugees to claim asylum in the UK.
“That they won’t is a political choice which shames them.”
Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, said the Government should provide safe routes for migrants to come to the UK.
“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones of the four people who have tragically died in the Channel attempting to reach safety in the UK,” he said.
“People who have escaped devastating wars and brutal regimes in countries like Sudan and Afghanistan are being driven into small boats by desperation.
“A lack of safe routes to the UK has left people feeling they have no other choice to rebuild their lives: the Government has even shut down family reunion for refugees, which overwhelmingly supported women and children.
“Policing the Channel alone is not enough to prevent dangerous crossings. The Government should work closely with our European neighbours to share responsibility and create more safe pathways for people to come to the UK without taking dangerous journeys.”
It comes after two migrants died crossing the English Channel in a separate incident last week, with six rescued and one of them rushed to hospital for further care.
In another incident, two women and a man were burnt when their small boat caught fire off the coast at Le Portel, local media reported.
A 17-year-old woman suffered burns all over her body and 77 people had to be rescued.
Over 300 people are estimated to have crossed the Channel yesterday as Britain experienced the warmest day of the year so far.
But the number of migrants who have arrived in the UK in small boats in the first three months of 2026 was down by a third compared with the same period last year, Home Office figures show.
