Tragedy in the Channel: Two Children Among Three Dead Off Calais

On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, French authorities confirmed that three people, including two children, died overnight while attempting to cross the English Channel. The victims were on a boat carrying 38 migrants off the coast of Sangatte, near Calais.

Details of the Crossing

According to Laurent Touvet, Prefect of Pas-de-Calais, the children’s ages remain unknown. He revealed that the victims were most likely crushed to the bottom of the boat. Touvet blamed smuggling gangs, vowing strict action against them.

Rescue operations began at 05:00 local time (04:00 BST). France’s rescue tug Abeille Normandie pulled survivors from the sinking vessel.

Other Boats Intercepted

Another boat carrying migrants tried to cross at Neufchâtel-Hardelot. Authorities said three people remain missing from that vessel.

In a third incident, the French navy’s patrol boat rescued 115 people from a dangerously overcrowded boat. Touvet noted this was “probably the highest number we’ve ever seen on a single boat.”

Rising Death Toll in 2025

This tragedy adds to the growing toll of the Channel crisis.

• Over 20 people have died this year attempting the crossing.

• On Tuesday, a woman died off the coast of Dover while on a small migrant boat.

• In 2024, at least 50 people lost their lives, marking the deadliest year recorded.

UK-France Migration Deal

Since Labour came into power in July 2024, more than 50,000 migrants have crossed the Channel. Over 30,000 arrivals have already been recorded in 2025.

In July, France and the UK signed a returns deal. Under the “one in, one out” plan, for every migrant returned to France, another asylum seeker with a valid claim will be relocated to Britain.

Authorities fear this latest tragedy will not be the last as desperate migrants continue to risk their lives at sea.