Several boats have been identified off Pas-de-Calais and 72 people have been rescued from Friday April 15 at night until Saturday April 16.
According to the prefecture, 39 people were first intercepted by rescuers from the regional operational surveillance and rescue center (CROSS) off Boulogne-sur-Mer. Then 33 other people in distress were recovered off Leffrinckoucke.
The 72 people were dropped off at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer and taken care of by border police and emergency services.
The maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea said in a press release putting “warns anyone considering crossing the Channel of the risks involved”. “This maritime sector is one of the busiest areas in the world, the weather conditions are often difficult (120 days of wind greater than or equal to force 7 on an annual average for example), it is therefore a particularly dangerous sector”he added.
Crossings are more frequent in the summer, but as the prefecture reminded us on Saturday April 16, high tides are expected on the coast of the Channel and the North Sea in the coming days. She calls to be vigilant.
According to the prefecture, for the year 2022 and until the end of March, “180 events linked to attempts or crossings of migrants by sea” were observed, “involving 5,458 people. Including 1,322 people who were rescued by French sea rescue means and who returned to France”. “We regret, unfortunately, one death”she added.
In 2021, more than 28,000 people had tried to cross the English Channel to reach England, according to AFP. Last October, more than 1,600 people were rescued at sea in three days by British and French rescuers.
If you are a victim or witness of an incident at sea, contact the emergency services by telephone by dialing 196.