At least four people died after a small dinghy carrying migrants to Britain sank in the English Channel, French authorities announced on Thursday.
In a press statement, local authorities in Calais added that a search and rescue operation was underway.
"A taxi-boat sinking occurred today. The situation is still being assessed and remains subject to change," the statement read.
The French prefect's office noted that the death toll is still "provisional".
Authorities confirmed that no less than 38 survivors are being cared for by emergency services, with one person suffering from hypothermia.
French media reported that the dead are two men and two women.
It added that the incident took place off the coast of Boulogne, between the beaches of Équihen and Écault, south of Calais.
Motoring dinghies, often called ‘taxi-boats’ by authorities, have been mostly deployed by traffickers along the French and Belgian coasts over the past year.
The “taxi-boat” sees traffickers collecting migrants directly from the sea, rather than from the beach, to evade border security trying to stop departures.
The incident comes one week following the death of three migrants while attempting to cross the Channel last week.
According to figures from the University of Oxford’s Migration Observatory, around 2,200 migrants have crossed the Channel into Britain during the first two months of 2026.
Latest UK government figures show that 462 people arrived in the UK via seven small boats in the first seven days of April across the English Channel.
In 2025, 41,472 people arrived in Britain via the same route last year according to latest stats.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 Apr...
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of ...
The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly voted to block an effort to rein in Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations ag...
Georgia’s parliament has approved fast-tracked amendments to the Law on Grants, introducing new exemptions and ...
RRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Beijing is placing China’s diplomacy under closer scrutiny, as it balances its partn...
Britain and France will co-host virtual talks on Friday (17 April) to ease tensions and restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
France is set to vote on a controversial law targeting what it calls “new forms” of antisemitism, sparking sharp divisions and raising concerns over free speech, criticism of Israel and the protection of Jewish communities.
The Middle East crisis is reshaping transport choices worldwide, turning electric vehicles from a long-term climate goal into an immediate economic calculation.
Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Kanye West has postponed his upcoming concert in Marseille, France, “until further notice”, amid mounting political opposition and renewed controversy over his past remarks.
Dubai’s most iconic hotel, the Burj Al Arab, is set to close for the first time since opening in 1999 as it begins an extensive 18-month refurbishment aimed at preserving its status as a global symbol of luxury.
The U.S. and Iran could resume peace talks over the next couple of days, U.S. President Donald Trump has said. Talks between Israel and Lebanon were held in Washington yesterday. Fuel prices have dropped below $100 a barrel. U.S. blockade on Iranian ports completes first day.
Azerbaijan and Russia have announced a formal settlement over the 2024 crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Embraer 190 near Aktau, confirming that all outstanding issues, including compensation, have been resolved.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that there was a "good chance" of a peace deal between Lebanon and Israel happening soon, after he announced a 10-day ceasefire between the two countries.
Türkiye is reeling after a second school shooting in as many days, after a 14-year-old student killed nine people - eight pupils and one teacher - and wounded 13 others at a middle school in the south-eastern province of Kahramanmaraş on Wednesday, officials said.
The U.S. House of Representatives has narrowly voted to block an effort to rein in Donald Trump’s authority to conduct military operations against Iran.
RRussian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Beijing is placing China’s diplomacy under closer scrutiny, as it balances its partnership with Moscow against strained relations with the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Israeli and Lebanese leaders have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire that includes Hezbollah, raising cautious hopes of a pause in hostilities after weeks of escalating tensions.
Russia published addresses of manufacturers allegedly producing drones or components for Ukraine on Wednesday (15 April), warning European countries against plans to step up UAV supplies to Kyiv.
Britain and France will co-host virtual talks on Friday (17 April) to ease tensions and restore safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment