A four-month baby died when an overloaded migrant boat headed for Britain sank in the Channel off the coast of France in the latest tragedy involving asylum seekers, French authorities said on Friday (Oct 18).

Sixty-five people were rescued when the accident occurred off the French town of Wissant on Thursday night, the maritime authority in charge of French waters in the Channel and the North Sea told AFP.

The infant, aged four months and possibly from Iraqi Kurdistan, was on board with his parents and two other children, prosecutors said.

The passengers onboard "were mainly of Iranian, Iraqi, Albanian and Eritrean nationality," Guirec Le Bras, the public prosecutor in Boulogne-sur-Mer, told AFP.

The latest sinking comes as an anti-immigration mood is dominating political debate in Europe.

The tragedy brings to at least 52 the number of people who have died attempting to reach England from France so far this year -- a record since 2018.

During a rescue operation on Thursday evening, several vessels and a Belgian helicopter spotted an overcrowded boat, with some of its passengers in the water.

The boat "was tearing at the centre, with some passengers falling into the water, while others were holding on to the inflatable elements", the prosecutor said.

The maritime prefecture said that 65 people had been recovered "unharmed."&nbsp;

"After a search, an infant was found unconscious in the water and unfortunately declared dead."&nbsp;

Authorities launched a manslaughter investigation and were interviewing the survivors as part of the probe.

Channel crossings to Britain by undocumented asylum seekers have surged since 2018 despite repeated warnings about the perilous journey. The Channel has heavy maritime traffic, icy waters and strong currents.&nbsp;

"These tragic deaths are preventable. We need safe routes NOW," Women for Refugee Women, a UK-based charity, said on X (former Twitter).

"Our thoughts are with the baby's loved ones, and all who were on the boat."

Utopia 56, a French association helping migrants, added: "To put an end to these tragedies, the action of the state must change."

The group called for "a policy of reception in France and safe passage to England."

On Thursday some 400 people on several boats ran into difficulty, the Utopia 56 group said, adding it repeatedly contacted French authorities and "help was provided."

The migrants on the boat that ran into trouble attempted to cross the Channel during the time of spring tides known in French as grandes marees, a phenomenon that happens only half a dozen times a year and involves extreme tidal movements.

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But despite the strong tidal currents the crossings have continued.

Overnight, 132 people aboard two boats were rescued by French vessels.

On Thursday, migration was at the top of the agenda as EU leaders met in Brussels.

Hard-right gains in several countries have translated into a harsher stance on migration across the bloc, with some governments pushing for reform only months after a long-negotiated deal was agreed on.

On Friday, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier will travel to Menton on the Italian border to meet ministers from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government.

Italy has entered into a contested deal with non-EU member Albania to house intercepted undocumented male migrants in Italian-run camps, until their claims are processed remotely by Italian judges.

Migrants sometimes get crushed or trampled to death in overcrowded boats.

Many such victims are children.

In early October, a two-year-old boy was crushed to death and three adult migrants died in two separate tragedies when overcrowded boats tried to cross the Channel to Britain.

In early September, 12 people including six minors, mostly from Eritrea, died off the northern French coast when their boat capsized.

Migrants still try to hide in trucks to get through the heavily guarded tunnel linking France and Britain, but most asylum seekers now arrive in small boats.

More than 26,000 migrants have landed on British shores since January 1, according to UK Home Office figures.

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.

A four-month baby died when an overloaded migrant boat headed for Britain sank in the Channel off the coast of France in the latest tragedy involving asylum seekers, French authorities said on Friday (Oct 18).

A four-month baby died when an overloaded migrant boat headed for Britain sank in the Channel off the coast of France in the latest tragedy involving asylum seekers, French authorities said on Friday (Oct 18). Sixty-five people were rescued when the accident occurred off the French town of Wissant on Thursday night, the maritime authority in charge of French waters in the Channel and the North Sea told AFP. The infant, aged four months and possibly from Iraqi Kurdistan, was on board with his parents and two other children, prosecutors said. The passengers onboard "were mainly of Iranian, Iraqi, Albanian and Eritrean nationality," Guirec Le Bras, the public prosecutor in Boulogne-sur-Mer, told AFP. The latest sinking comes as an anti-immigration mood is dominating political debate in Europe. The tragedy brings to at least 52 the number of people who have died attempting to reach England from France so far this year -- a record since 2018. During a rescue operation on Thursday evening, several vessels and a Belgian helicopter spotted an overcrowded boat, with some of its passengers in the water. The boat "was tearing at the centre, with some passengers falling into the water, while others were holding on to the inflatable elements", the prosecutor said. The maritime prefecture said that 65 people had been recovered "unharmed." "After a search, an infant was found unconscious in the water and unfortunately declared dead." Authorities launched a manslaughter investigation and were interviewing the survivors as part of the probe. Channel crossings to Britain by undocumented asylum seekers have surged since 2018 despite repeated warnings about the perilous journey. The Channel has heavy maritime traffic, icy waters and strong currents. "These tragic deaths are preventable. We need safe routes NOW," Women for Refugee Women, a UK-based charity, said on X (former Twitter). "Our thoughts are with the baby's loved ones, and all who were on the boat." Utopia 56, a French association helping migrants, added: "To put an end to these tragedies, the action of the state must change." The group called for "a policy of reception in France and safe passage to England." On Thursday some 400 people on several boats ran into difficulty, the Utopia 56 group said, adding it repeatedly contacted French authorities and "help was provided." The migrants on the boat that ran into trouble attempted to cross the Channel during the time of spring tides known in French as grandes marees, a phenomenon that happens only half a dozen times a year and involves extreme tidal movements. Also read: Putin to skip G20: Claims attending would ‘wreck’ the summit But despite the strong tidal currents the crossings have continued. Overnight, 132 people aboard two boats were rescued by French vessels. On Thursday, migration was at the top of the agenda as EU leaders met in Brussels. Hard-right gains in several countries have translated into a harsher stance on migration across the bloc, with some governments pushing for reform only months after a long-negotiated deal was agreed on. On Friday, French Prime Minister Michel Barnier will travel to Menton on the Italian border to meet ministers from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. Italy has entered into a contested deal with non-EU member Albania to house intercepted undocumented male migrants in Italian-run camps, until their claims are processed remotely by Italian judges. Migrants sometimes get crushed or trampled to death in overcrowded boats. Many such victims are children. In early October, a two-year-old boy was crushed to death and three adult migrants died in two separate tragedies when overcrowded boats tried to cross the Channel to Britain. In early September, 12 people including six minors, mostly from Eritrea, died off the northern French coast when their boat capsized. Migrants still try to hide in trucks to get through the heavily guarded tunnel linking France and Britain, but most asylum seekers now arrive in small boats. More than 26,000 migrants have landed on British shores since January 1, according to UK Home Office figures. 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.

Infant dies, 65 rescued in migrant boat disaster off French coast

A boat carrying migrants capsized off Spain's Canary islands overnight, killing at least nine people and leaving 48 missing, the national maritime rescue service said on Saturday.

Eighty-four people were on board and 27 were rescued after rescuers responded to a distress call received shortly after midnight from off El Hierro, one of the islands in the archipelago, a statement said.

This follows the death of 39 migrants in early September when their boat sank off Senegal while attempting a similar crossing to the Canaries, from where migrants hope to reach mainland Europe.&nbsp;

Thousands of migrants have died in recent years setting off into the Atlantic to reach Europe onboard overcrowded and often dilapidated boats.&nbsp;

In late August, Spain's prime minister visited Mauritania and The Gambia to sign cooperation agreements to crack down on people smugglers while expanding pathways for legal immigration.

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As of August 15, 22,304 migrants had reached the Canaries since the start of the year, up from 9,864 in the same period the previous year.

The Atlantic route is particularly deadly, with many of the crowded poorly equipped boats unable to cope with the strong ocean currents. Some boats depart African beaches as far as 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the Canaries. &nbsp;

The International Organization for Migration, a UN agency, estimates that 4,857 people have died on this route since 2014.

Many aid organisations say that's a massive undercount, with Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO that aids migrants, saying 18,680 have died trying to reach Europe. &nbsp;

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.

A boat carrying migrants capsized off Spain's Canary islands overnight, killing at least nine people and leaving 48 missing, the national maritime rescue service said on Saturday.

A boat carrying migrants capsized off Spain's Canary islands overnight, killing at least nine people and leaving 48 missing, the national maritime rescue service said on Saturday. Eighty-four people were on board and 27 were rescued after rescuers responded to a distress call received shortly after midnight from off El Hierro, one of the islands in the archipelago, a statement said. This follows the death of 39 migrants in early September when their boat sank off Senegal while attempting a similar crossing to the Canaries, from where migrants hope to reach mainland Europe. Thousands of migrants have died in recent years setting off into the Atlantic to reach Europe onboard overcrowded and often dilapidated boats. In late August, Spain's prime minister visited Mauritania and The Gambia to sign cooperation agreements to crack down on people smugglers while expanding pathways for legal immigration. Also read: West Asia crisis: Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei moved to ‘safe location’ As of August 15, 22,304 migrants had reached the Canaries since the start of the year, up from 9,864 in the same period the previous year. The Atlantic route is particularly deadly, with many of the crowded poorly equipped boats unable to cope with the strong ocean currents. Some boats depart African beaches as far as 1,000 kilometres (620 miles) from the Canaries. The International Organization for Migration, a UN agency, estimates that 4,857 people have died on this route since 2014. Many aid organisations say that's a massive undercount, with Caminando Fronteras, a Spanish NGO that aids migrants, saying 18,680 have died trying to reach Europe. 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.

At least 9 dead, 48 missing after migrant boat capsizes near Spain's Canary Islands

Four migrants have died while trying to cross the English Channel on an inflatable boat from France to the UK, French authorities said Friday.

The migrants' vessel capsized and punctured off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer, in northern France, the prefecture responsible for the region said in a statement. Sixty-three people were rescued by the French coast guard.

The prefecture said a French navy patrol boat spotted the overcrowded vessel early Friday as it deflated off the French coast. Several people were “drifting in the water while others were still clinging to the broken rubber dingy," the statement said.

Navy vessels, a fishing boat and a Navy helicopter joined the effort. Survivors were brought to the shore in Boulogne to receive medical attention and temporary shelter, the statement also said.

Migrants trying to reach the UK&nbsp;risk drowning as they try to cross the busy English Channel, often aboard crowded, unseaworthy boats.

French maritime officials responsible for the Channel and the North Sea have warned anyone who plans to cross the Channel to reconsider due to the many risks involved in the perilous journey. The channel is one of the busiest waterways in the world, with more than 600 commercial ships sailing through it daily, officials said, adding that weather conditions are often difficult due to strong winds that prevail 120 days a year.

"It's dangerous even when the sea seems calm," they said in a statement.

Friday's tragedy in the channel comes amid a continuing flow of people making the journey to the UK&nbsp;The latest figures from Britain’s Home Office, which deals with immigration issues, show that 419 people made the journey across the Channel from France to the UK&nbsp;in six boats on Tuesday, taking the provisional total for 2024 to date to 14,058.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who took over earlier this month after the Labour Party’s election victory, has launched a Border Security Command designed to crack down on people-smuggling gangs orchestrating the crossings. A commander for the new entity has not yet been appointed.

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“The further loss of life in the Channel...is truly awful. My thoughts are with all those affected,″ Cooper wrote. “Criminal gangs are making vast profit from putting lives at risk. We are accelerating action with international partners to pursue and bring down dangerous smuggler gangs.”

The leader of Britain's anti-immigrant Reform UK party, Nigel Farage, underscored the pressure to address the issue in a post on X Friday.

“The new government had better start moving fast,” he said.

Last month, British authorities rescued 80 migrants at sea after a small boat got into difficulty while crossing the English Channel from France.

An estimated 30,000 people made the crossing in 2023, according to UK&nbsp;government figures.

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.

Four migrants have died while trying to cross the English Channel on an inflatable boat from France to the UK, French authorities said Friday. The migrants' vessel capsized and punctured off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer, in northern France, the prefecture responsible for the region said in a statement.

Four migrants have died while trying to cross the English Channel on an inflatable boat from France to the UK, French authorities said Friday. The migrants' vessel capsized and punctured off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer, in northern France, the prefecture responsible for the region said in a statement. Sixty-three people were rescued by the French coast guard. The prefecture said a French navy patrol boat spotted the overcrowded vessel early Friday as it deflated off the French coast. Several people were “drifting in the water while others were still clinging to the broken rubber dingy," the statement said. Navy vessels, a fishing boat and a Navy helicopter joined the effort. Survivors were brought to the shore in Boulogne to receive medical attention and temporary shelter, the statement also said. Migrants trying to reach the UK risk drowning as they try to cross the busy English Channel, often aboard crowded, unseaworthy boats. French maritime officials responsible for the Channel and the North Sea have warned anyone who plans to cross the Channel to reconsider due to the many risks involved in the perilous journey. The channel is one of the busiest waterways in the world, with more than 600 commercial ships sailing through it daily, officials said, adding that weather conditions are often difficult due to strong winds that prevail 120 days a year. "It's dangerous even when the sea seems calm," they said in a statement. Friday's tragedy in the channel comes amid a continuing flow of people making the journey to the UK The latest figures from Britain’s Home Office, which deals with immigration issues, show that 419 people made the journey across the Channel from France to the UK in six boats on Tuesday, taking the provisional total for 2024 to date to 14,058. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, who took over earlier this month after the Labour Party’s election victory, has launched a Border Security Command designed to crack down on people-smuggling gangs orchestrating the crossings. A commander for the new entity has not yet been appointed. Also read: UK crossbow attack: Man suspected of killing 3 women formally arrested “The further loss of life in the Channel...is truly awful. My thoughts are with all those affected,″ Cooper wrote. “Criminal gangs are making vast profit from putting lives at risk. We are accelerating action with international partners to pursue and bring down dangerous smuggler gangs.” The leader of Britain's anti-immigrant Reform UK party, Nigel Farage, underscored the pressure to address the issue in a post on X Friday. “The new government had better start moving fast,” he said. Last month, British authorities rescued 80 migrants at sea after a small boat got into difficulty while crossing the English Channel from France. An estimated 30,000 people made the crossing in 2023, according to UK government figures. 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.

English Channel crossing: Four migrants die, dozens rescued after boat capsizes