French Coastguard Rescues 119 Migrants After Channel Boat Breaks Down
French Coastguard Rescues 119 Migrants After Channel Boat Breaks Down
The French coastguard rescued 119 people in three incidents after a taxi boat broke down crossing the English Channel, with one woman evacuated by helicopter.
More than 100 migrants heading for the UK across the English Channel were rescued after the taxi boat they were using broke down in the early hours on Saturday. French coastguard crews moved the 106 people on board to a rescue vessel before taking them to Calais. A separate operation brought the total rescued to 119 people in three incidents along France's northern coastline, highlighting the ongoing dangers of crossings in small boats.
The operation underscores the risks faced by migrants as weather and sea conditions can be harsh even when the surface looks calm. The coastguard said this maritime area is one of the busiest in the world, with strong winds, currents, many sandbanks, and cold water that can end life expectancy in minutes in winter. One woman who fell ill during the crossing had to be evacuated by helicopter.
The incident comes as the UK government agreed a three-year deal with France to fund beach patrols with about £662 million to deter arrivals. The package includes roughly £501 million to cover five police units and enforcement on French beaches, with a further £160 million payable only if new tactics prove successful. The aim is to target and detain migrants on the French coast to remove hundreds of small-boat arrivals from beaches and stop them entering the water.
Officials emphasize the ongoing risk and the broader challenges of Channel migration, with rescue operations continuing to be a priority for both sides.
