In two rescue operations off the French coast, 63 people were rescued over the weekend who wanted to cross the English Channel to Great Britain in barely seaworthy boats. The sea rescue center Gris Nez coordinated the operations in the waters of Pas-de-Calais.
A boat whose engine fell into the water was helped by a National Sea Rescue Society vessel and 46 people were brought ashore, authorities said. Another ship, chartered only in April to reinforce search and rescue operations, meanwhile took on board 17 Oye-Plage shipwrecked sailors.
Migrant deaths went to court
Just days earlier in France, five soldiers had been accused by the judiciary of failing to provide aid in connection with the deaths of 27 migrants when their dinghy sank in the English Channel in late 2021.
At the time of the accident, the three female and two male soldiers were working at the Gris Nez rescue center, which is responsible for salvage operations in the English Channel. The investigation focuses on allegations that distress calls from people on the ailing boat went unanswered. According to legal documents, the calls for help were ignored 15 times.
Last year 46,000 crossings
Last year some 46,000 asylum seekers crossed the Channel, mostly from Afghanistan, Iran and Albania. About 8,000 people were rescued in French waters.
Source: Krone
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