Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, died and at least three others were injured after an overloaded inflatable boat began taking on water during a crossing of the English Channel. Rescuers found about 80 people on board and roughly 20 stranded in the water; several victims suffered burns from gasoline mixed with seawater. Jean-Marc Lamblin of France's national sea rescue service described the chaotic scene, and the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation.
Two Dead After Overloaded Inflatable Boat Takes On Water In English Channel
Migrants cross the English Channel on a small boat on March 6, 2024. A smilier boat with about 80 people on board began to take on water and leak fuel Sunday, killing two men. File Photo by Tolga Akmen/EPA-EFE
French authorities say two men have died and at least three others were injured after an overloaded inflatable boat began taking on water during a crossing of the English Channel.
The vessel departed from the Berck coast on Sunday, officials told Sky News. Authorities reported roughly 80 people were on board when rescuers arrived; about 20 were found stranded in the water.
Rescue Scene
Jean-Marc Lamblin, director of France’s national sea rescue service, described a chaotic scene marked by the smell of gasoline and frantic attempts to keep the craft afloat.
"When we arrived, there were at least 80 people on board and a terrible smell of gasoline," Lamblin told La Voix du Nord, as cited by the BBC.
Rescuers recounted seeing passengers bailing water with shoes. Several people were treated for injuries after exposure to fuel; two women suffered burns from a mixture of gasoline and seawater. Lamblin said two men were in cardiac arrest during the response. The two men who later died were in their 30s and 40s.
Investigation And Warnings
The Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, a prefecture spokesperson said. Prefecture officials also reiterated that crossings of the English Channel can be particularly hazardous because of strong currents, heavy shipping traffic and local sandbanks.
Authorities did not immediately release additional details about the nationalities of those on board or whether any arrests have been made. The investigation will address the cause of the incident and the identities of those involved.
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