Reports suggest that four individuals have tragically lost their lives while attempting to cross the English Channel in a boat as migrants.

According to reports from AFP, four migrants attempting to cross the English Channel have tragically lost their lives in French waters. The incident occurred when approximately 70 individuals were trying to board a small boat from a beach, which overturned in the early hours of Sunday morning in Wimereux, near Calais. Local authorities have confirmed that the deceased migrants, who hailed from Iraq and Syria, were among those rescued from the water. One person sustained serious injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital. The accident happened shortly after the boat's departure from the French coast towards England at around 02:00 local time. The French maritime prefecture stated that people encountered difficulties at sea while attempting to reach the boat, and bodies were subsequently discovered by a coastguard tugboat. Emergency response teams, including around 50 firefighters and several police vehicles, were dispatched to aid in the rescue efforts. Survivors were taken to a local community center, while search and rescue operations continued with the involvement of multiple boats and a French Navy helicopter. The UK Coastguard was not involved as the incident occurred in French waters near Wimereux. This incident took place one day after the first small boat crossing of the year was recorded, following a nearly four-week period with no crossings to the UK due to unfavorable weather conditions. The total number of crossings in 2023, recorded as 29,437, has decreased compared to the record-breaking 45,774 crossings in 2022, but it remains the second-highest annual figure on record. Meanwhile, Conservative Members of Parliament are urging Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over the Rwanda bill, which proposes sending some asylum seekers to the African country. This legislative plan is being revived after the Supreme Court deemed the previous scheme unlawful. Additionally, a French report highlighted insufficient information sharing by the UK regarding small boat crossings in the Channel, according to the Court of Accounts, which monitors expenditure in France.