A major cross-border rescue operation unfolded in the early hours of Monday morning after a heavily overloaded migrant boat carrying more than 60 people broke apart in the English Channel, resulting in one confirmed fatality.

The incident began shortly after midnight when the French regional surveillance and rescue centre, CROSS Gris-Nez, detected the departure of the vessel from the French coast. Monitoring the situation as weather conditions deteriorated, the maritime tug Abeille Normandie was deployed to shadow the vessel.

Tragedy struck when the boat began disintegrating during surveillance. CROSS immediately issued a Mayday Relay alert, prompting a swift and coordinated response from both French and British authorities.

Three high-speed rescue craft were launched by the Abeille Normandie, while additional British support quickly arrived, including the RNLI lifeboat 13-07 from Dungeness, the Border Force vessel Ranger, and a UK surveillance aircraft. Meanwhile, a French Navy Dauphin helicopter, carrying a specialist medical team, flew in from Boulogne-sur-Mer to provide aerial support.

In total, 62 individuals were rescued. The Abeille Normandie recovered 50 migrants, the RNLI rescued two, and Border Force teams rescued another nine. All survivors were taken aboard the Abeille Normandie for immediate medical assessment and treatment.

During the operation, the Dauphin helicopter spotted an unconscious individual floating in the water. RNLI crews retrieved the person, who was then pronounced dead aboard the rescue vessel.

Among the survivors were a mother and child suffering from severe hypothermia, who were airlifted to Boulogne-sur-Mer Hospital for emergency treatment. The remaining survivors were taken to shore at Boulogne quay, where French emergency services provided further assistance.

In a statement following the tragedy, the Maritime Prefect of the Channel and North Sea issued a grave warning, urging migrants not to risk the treacherous journey across one of the world’s busiest and most dangerous maritime corridors. Authorities noted that over 12,000 crossings have already been recorded in 2025, potentially marking it as a record-breaking year for Channel migration.

A spokesperson for the UK Government said:

“We can confirm there has been a tragic incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters which has resulted in the loss of one life. We continue to work closely with our French partners to address these dangerous crossings.”