Three migrants, including child, die during Channel crossing attempt
French authorities said three people died on an overcrowded dinghy carrying 105 migrants from France toward Britain; all other passengers were rescued.
Calais, France. Three migrants, including a 10-year-old child, died on Monday while trying to cross the Channel to Britain in an overcrowded inflatable dinghy, French authorities said. All other passengers were rescued.
Distress call from dinghy
France’s maritime police said it received a distress call from the dinghy, which was carrying 105 people. Initial information suggested that two women and the child were crushed on board, the local prefecture said. The dinghy had set off from Bleriot Plage beach in Calais.
Smugglers have been using so-called “taxi boats” that leave quiet beaches with a small group, then travel along the coast to pick up more people before crossing to the UK.
Migration debate
Hours after the deaths, Pope Leo urged Europeans in a speech in the northeastern French city of Metz to welcome migrants fleeing war, persecution and hardship “as if they were part of one’s own family”.
The number of migrants who successfully crossed the Channel in 2026 had fallen by more than 40% as of late September compared with the same period in 2025, according to data from Britain’s interior ministry.
Migration remains a divisive political issue in Europe. In France, far-right politician Marine Le Pen is the frontrunner for next year’s presidential election. In Britain, the ruling Labour party faces a challenge from the populist Reform UK party.
Police action near Calais
France has deployed police along its northern coast to deter smugglers and migrants. In a separate incident on Monday, Reuters journalists in Gravelines, north of Calais, saw police slash an inflatable dinghy before it could be put out to sea, then fire tear gas to disperse a large group of migrants.
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