NICE, France Associated Press —At least eight people died during a failed attempt to cross the English Channel from northern France, French maritime authorities said Sunday.
At least 46 migrants had died while trying to cross to the UK this year, said Billant, the Pas-de-Calais prefect.
At least 137,563 people have reached the United Kingdom after crossing the Channel from France since 2018, according to UK Home Office figures.
Other surveillance and rescue operations are underway Sunday along the entire Pas-de-Calais coast amid stormy weather conditions and agitated sea, French maritime authorities said.
They warned anyone who tries to cross the Channel on flimsy and overloaded boats and in often difficult weather conditions of “significant risks.”In July, four migrants died while attempting the crossing on an inflatable boat that capsized and punctured.
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