A child migrant died today after falling off an English Channel small boat – before the overcrowded dinghy continued on its voyage to the UK.
The horrific incident on Sunday morning followed two Somali women dying in similar circumstances the day before. French police said the women died by suffocation or drowning after the overloaded boat set off for the UK at around 3.15am.
Of the latest death, Cécile Gressier, prosecutor in the French port town of Boulogne-sur-Mer, said the child’s body washed up on nearby Écault beach.
‘An investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of the death,’ said Ms Gressier. ‘The victim’s age and nationality have not been determined.’
Other sources at the scene suggested that the deceased was a young teenager
Emergency services commander Jonathan Caruso said 48 other migrants who were on the same boat were rescued after falling into the sea, before the dinghy ‘continued on to England,’ with around 50 still onboard.
The latest death means that at least 21 people have died this year as they attempt to reach Britain from France on a small boat.
The two Somali women migrants died on Saturday, off the coast near Neufchâtel-Hardelot, south of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Migrants sit on an inflatable boat during an attempt to cross the English Channel, off the beach of Gravelines, northern France, 27 September 2025
The horrific incident on Sunday morning followed two Somali women dying in similar circumstances the day before (pictured)
Migrants arrive on a beach to board an inflatable boat during an attempt to cross the English Channel, off the beach of Gravelines, northern France, 27 September 2025
They either suffocated on the packed boat before it disintegrated, or drowned in the sea.
Boulogne prosecutors have opened a criminal enquiry into all the weekend deaths, as they try to find the people smugglers responsible for launching the boat.
Children were among three who died on the route earlier this month after they were crushed at the bottom of a boat.
At least 25 people have died so far this year trying to make the dangerous crossing in small boats.
Hundreds of migrants have been seen gathering at beaches along the coastline of northern France since Friday, following forecasts of calm sea conditions over the weekend.
Despite the large numbers, riot police with truncheons and shields only watched yesterday as scores of illegal migrants prepared to make the crossing.
One observer at Dover on Friday claimed that at least six Border Force cutters arrived at the port through the day and into the evening, landing more than 600 illegal migrants – the vast majority men – on British soil.
Last year, 78 migrants died trying to reach Britain in small boats – the highest number since 2018 when people smugglers started using dinghies.
Since January, a record 32,000 illegal migrants have arrived in Britain by crossing the Channel – and more than 50,000 have crossed since Labour came into power in July 2024.
Migrants board an inflatable boat during an attempt to cross the English Channel, off the beach of Gravelines, northern France, 27 September 2025
Migrants wade through water to board an inflatable boat during an attempt to cross the English Channel
A French Coats Guard boat (R) patrols as migrants onboard an inflatable boat attempt to cross the English Channel, off the beach of Gravelines, northern France, 27 September 2025
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau has said of such tragedies: ‘Our government will intensify the fight against these mafias who are getting rich by organising these crossings of death.’
In April 2024, a criminal enquiry was launched following the deaths of five migrants including a little girl around Wimereux, near Calais.
The worst tragedy of this kind came in November 2021, when 27 migrants died after a dinghy sank while heading to the UK – the highest recorded number of deaths from a single incident.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have pledged to ‘strengthen cooperation’ to fight the people smugglers, but they are regulary criticised for not doing enough.
Both have hoped that their ‘one-in-one-out’ plan will in time provide a deterrent for would-be asylum seekers if they believe they risk being quickly sent back.
But more than 32,000 people have crossed so far this year, and the boats continue to launch.
