BBC Breakfast hosts Luxmy Gopal and Roger Johnson delivered a devastating breaking news announcement live on air on Sunday morning, reporting that two migrants had died after a boat sank in the English Channel while attempting to cross to the UK overnight.
During the broadcast, Luxmy Gopal stated: “Some breaking news to bring you. Reports have just come through in the past few minutes that two people have died off the coast of northern France after a boat carrying migrants came into difficulty overnight.” The programme then cut to reporter Simon Jones, who provided further details via video link.
A major rescue operation was launched in the early hours after a migrant dinghy carrying 65 people got into difficulties off Hardelot beach, south of Boulogne. French authorities confirmed that two female migrants died in the incident, which involved a so-called taxi boat as dozens of people attempted to board. A second migrant boat nearby continued its journey to the UK as the incident unfolded around 3am.
Christophe Marx, a regional government official, said there were 82 people packed on the boat that ran aground on a beach at Neufchatel-Hardelot, approximately 12 kilometres south of Boulogne. At least eight people have now died this year attempting the dangerous crossing.
Last month, Britain and France signed a new three-year deal on security operations to stop the crossings. Under the agreement, France will increase police and gendarme patrols along the coast, while the British government will increase its financial contribution.
