Baby dies after migrant boat gets into difficulties in the Channel, say French authorities

A baby has died after a boat carrying migrants ran into difficulties in the Channel, French authorities have said.

A total of 65 people were rescued following the incident off the coast of Wissant in northern France on Thursday evening.

The boat was found to be heavily loaded with people and some were in the water when the rescue team arrived, the French maritime team for the Channel and the North Sea said.

A French Navy patrol boat and a helicopter were used in the recovery operation.

During the rescue operation, an unconscious baby was retrieved from the water and transferred to the Abeille Normandie - an assistance and rescue intervention boat.

The baby was later declared dead by a doctor.

The 65 migrants and the deceased baby were taken to a port in the city of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

According to the maritime department, weather conditions are often difficult in the area where the boat ran into difficulties and it is a "particularly dangerous sector" even when the "sea seems beautiful".

Searches are ongoing.

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Meanwhile, an investigation has been launched by the public prosecutor's office in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

It comes after four people died, including a two-year-old boy, while attempting to cross the Channel earlier this month.

More than 26,000 migrants have successfully made the crossing to the UK in small boats this year.

A total of 973 migrants made the crossing on Saturday 6 October - the highest daily figure in 2024.

(c) Sky News 2024: Baby dies after migrant boat gets into difficulties in the Channel, say French authorities