A migrant has died after a small boat attempting to cross the English Channel sank off the coast of Calais on Friday evening, according to the French coastguard.

Rescue teams saved 69 people, though only half of those onboard were found to be wearing life jackets. Two individuals were unconscious when brought onto a rescue vessel—one was successfully resuscitated by medics, while the other later died in hospital.

The remaining migrants were returned to Calais, while French authorities warned of the continued dangers of crossing the busy and hazardous shipping lane, especially during winter conditions.

Boat Monitored Before Sinking

French authorities confirmed that a Gris-Nez surveillance and rescue centre had detected multiple attempted crossings on Friday night.

A French vessel began monitoring one small boat as it left Calais, but towards the end of the night, the vessel started taking on water.

As the situation worsened, rescue crews immediately intervened. A Belgian sea rescue helicopter was used to evacuate the unconscious individual who later died at a hospital in Marck-en-Calais.

A French Navy Dauphin helicopter was deployed to scan the area where the boat sank, ensuring all individuals had been rescued.

Warning from French Authorities

The French coastguard issued a stark warning about the extreme dangers of attempting Channel crossings, describing this particular stretch of water as a “particularly dangerous sector”, especially in winter.

They emphasized that the English Channel remains one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, with unpredictable weather conditions making it even more perilous for overcrowded and unseaworthy boats.

Escalating Migrant Crossings in 2025

Official figures show that 1,554 people have already made the dangerous journey across the English Channel since the start of 2025.

In 2024, a total of 36,816 migrants arrived in the UK via small boats—making it the deadliest year on record for migrant crossings, according to the United Nations’ migration agency.

The tragic death in Friday’s attempted crossing is a stark reminder of the life-threatening risks that migrants face in their desperate attempts to reach the UK.

Ongoing Rescue Efforts

French authorities have deployed additional life-saving resources to the region in response to the numerous reports of attempted crossings on Friday night.

UK and French officials continue to monitor the ongoing migrant crisis, with further joint patrols and surveillance measures expected to be strengthened in the coming months.