French authorities said they rescued 119 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel over the weekend, with one person hospitalized after being airlifted. The incident comes despite a new UK-France agreement to curb crossings, as fatalities on the route continue to rise.
French maritime authorities said on Sunday (April 26) they rescued more than 100 migrants over the weekend as they attempted the dangerous journey across the English Channel toward the UK.
According to regional maritime officials, a total of 119 people were taken to safety during multiple rescue operations carried out along France’s northern coastline on Saturday. The incidents highlight the continued risks faced by migrants who attempt the crossing in small, often overcrowded and unseaworthy boats.
In one of the operations, emergency teams airlifted an unconscious individual to a hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer for urgent medical care. Authorities did not provide further details on the person’s condition.
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Channel crossings persist despite intensified UK-France crackdown on irregular migration
The operations come just days after France and the UK reached a new three-year agreement aimed at stemming irregular migration across the Channel. Under the deal, the British government will increase funding to support French patrols and enforcement efforts along key departure points.
Despite intensified cooperation, the crossing remains a persistent and deadly route. According to the UK Home Office, since the beginning of the year, 6,077 people have arrived in the UK via the Channel. This figure is, however, lower than the 9,560 crossings recorded during the same period in 2025. A total of 41,472 people reached the UK on small boats last year. This number is the second-highest since 2018.
At least 29 people lost their lives attempting the journey in 2025, based on official figures compiled from both French and British sources. So far this year, six deaths have already been recorded.
Officials on both sides of the Channel continue to warn of the life-threatening dangers posed by the crossing, particularly as governments crack down on irregular migrants, smuggling networks adapt, and migrants take increasing risks in search of safer routes to Europe and beyond.
With AFP