Two men and two women have died after attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat on Thursday morning, French officials have confirmed. The deaths occurred as strong currents swept them away while they tried to board a dinghy off the coast of Boulogne, between Équihen-Plage and Hardelot-Plage.
Francois-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, told reporters: “We sadly have to report four deaths this morning.” He noted that the four individuals were “already quite far into the sea” when the currents overwhelmed them. At least 42 other migrants were rescued, with one person suffering hypothermia and 37 others receiving medical treatment.
The vessel involved was a so-called taxi boat, used by smugglers to pick up migrants waiting in waist-deep water at various points along the coast. Lauch commended officers and firefighters deployed to stop the crossings, stating that “the responsibility lies with the smugglers.”
A UK Government spokesperson expressed deep sadness over the deaths, calling them “a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people for profit.” The French authorities are leading the investigation, with the UK supporting their efforts.
The incident comes amid ongoing UK-France negotiations on a new deal to intercept small boats. Last month, the UK agreed to pay France an extra £16.2 million for Channel patrols. However, France has rejected a UK proposal to deploy British Border Force vessels in French waters, citing sovereignty concerns.
Imran Hussain of the Refugee Council urged the government to create more safe pathways to the UK, saying policing alone is insufficient. Official figures show around 2,600 people who arrived by small boat were returned to another country in 2025, with the majority being Albanian nationals.
