Eight people have died trying to cross the&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;from France to England, French authorities said on Sunday, confirming earlier media reports.

This latest incident follows the deaths of 12 people earlier this month when their boat capsized in the&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;on its way to Britain and highlights the pressure on the British and French governments to find ways to tackle the boat crossings.

Jacques Billant, the Prefect of the Pas-de-Calais region, said that rescue crews were alerted that a boat with 59 people onboard was in difficulty in waters off the coast of Ambleteuse in the Pas-de-Calais area.

"A new drama took place around one in the morning and we deplore the death of eight people," he told a news conference, adding that the other 51 onboard were now in the care of rescue and medical crews.

The dead were men from Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, Iran, and Afghanistan, he added.

The&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, and currents are strong, which makes crossing on small boats dangerous.

The latest incident brings to 46 the number of people who have died trying to cross the&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;from France since the start of the year, Billant said.

On September 14 alone, there were eight attempts to cross the&nbsp;Channel&nbsp;from France, and some 200 migrants were rescued, he said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience. 
&nbsp;

Eight people have died trying to cross the Channel from France to England, French authorities said on Sunday, confirming earlier media reports. This latest incident follows the deaths of 12 people earlier this month when their boat capsized in the Channel on its way to Britain and highlights the pressure on the British and French governments to find ways to tackle the boat crossings.

Eight people have died trying to cross the Channel from France to England, French authorities said on Sunday, confirming earlier media reports. This latest incident follows the deaths of 12 people earlier this month when their boat capsized in the Channel on its way to Britain and highlights the pressure on the British and French governments to find ways to tackle the boat crossings. Jacques Billant, the Prefect of the Pas-de-Calais region, said that rescue crews were alerted that a boat with 59 people onboard was in difficulty in waters off the coast of Ambleteuse in the Pas-de-Calais area. "A new drama took place around one in the morning and we deplore the death of eight people," he told a news conference, adding that the other 51 onboard were now in the care of rescue and medical crews. The dead were men from Eritrea, Sudan, Syria, Egypt, Iran, and Afghanistan, he added. The Channel is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, and currents are strong, which makes crossing on small boats dangerous. The latest incident brings to 46 the number of people who have died trying to cross the Channel from France since the start of the year, Billant said. On September 14 alone, there were eight attempts to cross the Channel from France, and some 200 migrants were rescued, he said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Eight die in Channel crossing attempt, French authorities say

channel-crossing-tragedy

Channel Crossing Tragedy, News on Channel Crossing Tragedy, stories on Channel Crossing Tragedy, articles on Channel Crossing Tragedy, Channel Crossing Tragedy stories at Wion, Channel Crossing Tragedy news, Channel Crossing Tragedy latest news

channel crossing-tragedy

Eight die in Channel crossing attempt, French authorities say