‘Three migrants including child, 5, dead’ after packed boat capsizes trying to cross Channel from France
THREE people including a child are dead after a migrant boat capsized while crossing the Channel in 18mph winds, it has been reported.
At least 18 people have been rescued however a huge search is underway off Loon-Plage near Dunkirk to reportedly find three who are still missing.
Police at Dunkirk port following the deaths of at least three migrants in the Channel[/caption]One person drowned while two others, including a five-year-old child, died of cardiac arrest after being pulled from the freezing cold water, according to French outlet Voix Du Nord.
All those rescued were Iraqis and Kurdish Iranians while another child, aged eight, is fighting for its life, the report says.
The migrants who were pulled from the sea, while trying to reach the UK, have been taken care to Calais and Dunkirk hospitals, officials said.
An English yachtsman reportedly triggered the alert after spotting the boat sink with about 20 on board.
An emergency services alert mentioned three missing people while 13 others are in a state of hypothermia, local media reports.
Three victims are in cardiac arrest, it has been reported.
There were children between the ages of five and eight among the group of migrants in distress.
The survivors reportedly said an infant was among the people who are missing in the choppy waters.
French Coastguard were alerted by the sailing boat Marbuzet of the presence of a migrant vessel in difficulty in the Dunkirk channel.
Officials said the boat carrying the migrants sank, adding: “Search operations are still underway.
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“At the same time, an operational PC was activated on land under the authority of the Dunkirk sub-prefect to coordinate the resources engaged by SDIS 59 and SAMU 59.”
An investigation was opened by the public prosecutor of Dunkirk to identify the causes of the sinking.
Before this tragedy, three migrants had lost their lives attempting to cross the Channel this year.
And in 2019, four refugees drowned making the perilous trip.
At least three people have died following the sinking of the boat, it has been reported[/caption]More to follow…
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