RNLI takes people to Dungeness, Kent, after a small boat sank after leaving France. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA < p>A man and woman drowned on Wednesday after a small boat carrying about 60 migrants trying to reach Britain sank just after leaving France, authorities said.
Guirec Le Bras, the Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor, said the boat was among several that left the beach near the French port on Wednesday morning despite the presence of gendarmerie patrols.
It capsized off the beaches of Neuchâtel-Hardelot and Equian-Plage at about 13:30 local time. time. Two of the people who died were in their 30s, but it is not known where they came from.
A third person was rescued from the sea and taken to hospital, while the others were taken back to land by boat, some suffering from hypothermia. rescuers reported.
Death occurred almost two years later, on the next day. 27 people have died in one of the worst migrant disasters in the English Channel.
A man is carried ashore on a stretcher in Dungeness, Kent Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA
This has led to reports that the French and UK coastguards have shifted responsibility to those responsible for monitoring and rescuing migrants injured near the dividing line between territorial waters of two countries.
A spokesman for HM Coastguard said on Wednesday: “HM Coastguard is currently working with the French Coast Guard, which is coordinating the response to a small vessel incident in the French search and rescue region, working with the Border Force and other partners.
“Coastguard helicopter and RNLI are assisting with the response. HM Coastguard will continue to work with partners to respond to those in distress in the UK's seas and coastal areas.»
Mr Le Bras said a manslaughter investigation had been opened.
p>Olivier Ternicien, head of Osmose 62, a group that helps migrants in the Boulogne region, said people trying to reach Britain were at greater risk due to worsening weather.
Ternicienne's group and other organizations also said that the increased presence of security forces has encouraged migrants to cross increasingly dangerous crossings.
RNLI transports rescued Channel migrants. Photo: Steve Finn
On Tuesday, the general commanding the 130 gendarmes patrolling the Calais Coast told The Telegraph that 30 percent fewer migrants have reached the UK this year compared with 2022. General Franz Tawart's unit includes 90 reservists paid for by Britain.
The latest deaths in the English Channel were on August 12, when six Afghans drowned after their small boat capsized. It was the worst accident since the tragedy on November 24, 2021, when 27 people died.
France did not inform Britain that the boat was sinking and ignored an offer of rescue from a tanker passing by. .
French authorities said the boats were becoming increasingly overcrowded, with the average number of passengers around 53, almost double the number two years ago.
British authorities said more than 27 200 people are overloaded. this year we crossed the English Channel in small boats.
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