107 migrants rescued in channel crossing: France
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Over Christmas Day, 12 rescue operations have been reportedly conducted along northern France's coastline.
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A boat thought to carry migrants is escorted by a vessel from the French Gendarmerie Nationale in the English Channel off Wimereux beach, France, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024 (AP Photo/Nicolas Garriga, File)
French authorities reported rescuing 107 migrants attempting to cross the channel from France to England on Wednesday.
Over Christmas Day, 12 rescue operations were conducted along northern France's coastline, including one involving a boat with engine trouble, according to a statement from France's Channel and North Sea maritime prefecture.
In the morning, 30 people were rescued from a vessel near Dunkirk. However, other passengers opted to continue their journey and were handed over to British custody upon reaching British waters, the maritime authorities stated.
Later in the day, another boat with engine trouble was spotted near Dunkirk, and all 51 passengers were rescued. Additionally, 26 individuals were saved from a boat in distress near Calais.
The maritime prefecture emphasized the dangers of crossing the English Channel, describing it as "a particularly dangerous area, especially at the height of winter for precarious and overloaded boats."
The Pas-de-Calais authorities noted that at least 73 migrants have died attempting the perilous crossing in 2024, making it the deadliest year on record. Tens of thousands more have successfully reached Britain, where the government has pledged to combat people-smuggling operations.
In November, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer underscored the need for international collaboration against these smuggling networks, calling them "a global security threat similar to terrorism."
