Migrants drown as boat capsizes in English Channel

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A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent. Associated Press/Photo by Gareth Fuller

Migrants drown as boat capsizes in English Channel

Emergency crews on Tuesday rescued about 50 people after the vessel capsized off the coast of northern France, French authorities said. At least 12 people died and two others were missing Tuesday, said French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin. Local mayor Olivier Barbarin said the bottom of the boat ripped open as the migrants were trying to cross the English Channel.

Is it common for boats to try to cross the channel? More than 2,100 migrants have tried to cross the dangerous waterway in the last seven days, according to the United Kingdom Home Office. A total of 37 boats made the crossing during that time. At least 30 migrants have died or gone missing this year while trying to cross to the United Kingdom, according to the International Organization for Migration.

Dig deeper: Listen to Onize Ohikere’s report on The World and Everything in It about Panama blocking migrants.

Lauren Canterberry

Lauren Canterberry is a reporter for WORLD. She graduated from the World Journalism Institute and the University of Georgia with a degree in journalism, both in 2017. She worked as a local reporter in Texas and now lives in Georgia with her husband.