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Six Afghans killed, many missing after migrant boat capsizing going to Britain

News On Time Desk 14 August 2023

Calais: Six Afghans have died and many more are missing after a migrant boat bound for Britain capsized in the English Channel. French officials said that the accident happened in the early hours of Saturday. Philippe Sabatier, deputy public prosecutor in the French coastal city of Boulogne, told AFP news agency that all six of the dead were Afghan men in their late 30s. Most of the rest of the passengers were Afghans and some were Sudanese, he said. Most of them were adults and some were minors. Mr Sabetier said 49 people had been rescued alive, 36 by the French coastguard and 13 by British authorities. Five to 10 passengers are still missing, according to the prosecutor's office. Along with two British ships, three French ships, a helicopter and an aircraft have been deployed to the area near Sangaate in northern France to search for the missing passengers, he said.

A UK Home Office spokesperson said: "HM Coastguard is currently assisting French officer Gris Nez with a rescue operation in relation to the incident involving a small boat in the Channel." Meanwhile, French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne said her thoughts were with the victims. He appreciated the efforts of the relief and rescue teams.