Young migrant found dead on French beach as Channel crossing deaths rise

"A young migrant was found dead early Sunday on a beach in northern France, the latest in a rising number of deaths in attempted Channel crossings, local authorities said. "The body of a young man was discovered on the beach of Saint-Etienne-au-Mont. It is highly likely that he was a migrant who attempted the crossing to Great Britain last night," the Pas-de-Calais prefecture said in a statement."

"An investigation will need to determine if there is a connection between the death and an attempted crossing that occurred slightly farther north, near Equihen-Plage, local prosecutor Cecile Gressier told AFP. Around 50 migrants who failed to set sail were rescued early Sunday morning at Equihen-Plage, and a 49-year-old woman suffering from hypothermia was taken to hospital, said Isabelle Fradin-Thirode, an official in nearby Montreuil-sur-Mer."

"These perilous crossings are made on makeshift boats, just a few metres long, and often referred to as "small boats". The vessels are frequently overloaded, and their departures chaotic. On Saturday, among the numerous departures made possible by favourable weather conditions, 14 needed rescue, according to the French maritime prefecture (PREMAR). In Pas-de-Calais alone, 223 migrants have been rescued since Saturday morning, the prefecture reported."

Authorities discovered a young migrant's body on a beach in Saint-Etienne-au-Mont in northern France after an apparent Channel crossing attempt. An investigation will examine possible links to an attempted crossing near Equihen-Plage where around 50 migrants were rescued and a 49-year-old woman with hypothermia was hospitalized. Two Somali women died during a crossing near Boulogne-sur-Mer, and another body was recovered in Gravelines, possibly days after death. Crossings are made on makeshift, overcrowded "small boats" with chaotic departures. Weather-enabled departures prompted multiple rescues, and Pas-de-Calais reported 223 migrants rescued since Saturday morning. French resources and UK funding have increased but departures continue. A record 32,000 migrants have reached British shores.

Read at The Local France