English Channel horror with 500 lives at risk as distress calls sent by '10 overloaded' boats

As many as 500 lives are at risk in English Channel after urgent distress calls were sent by '10 overloaded dinghies'.

French-based migrant support organisation Utopia56 has claimed that at least 10 overloaded boats have been in the Channel for several hours. A post on X said they had received 10 distress calls at sea in the early hours of Wednesday. It read: "At least ten overloaded boats are currently in danger in the English Channel. Since 2am, the Calais team has received ten distress calls at sea, involving over 500 people. Our thanks go to the volunteers and emergency services on site, who are doing their utmost."

Screenshots shared by the group appeared to suggest that seven occupants of one of the boats containing 75 people were children. The same message also showed the issue reported by the dinghy, and said there may be a "problem with the engine".

Yesterday, at least three UK-bound migrants died today when a small boat carrying 48 people sunk in the English Channel. Two were found unconscious after being taken directly on to a rescue boat soon after 8am on Wednesday morning, while a third was spotted by ferry crew some three hours later. Since the beginning of the year, 55 people have died while attempting to cross to England on makeshift boats organised by people smugglers.

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