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French authorities rescue 107 migrants crossing Channel
December 26, 2024
Article Body TextLILLE, FRANCE — <p>French authorities said they rescued 107 migrants trying to cross the Channel from France to England on Wednesday.</p> <p>Over the course of Christmas Day, 12 rescue operations were staged along the coast of northern France, including of a boat experiencing engine trouble, France's Channel and North Sea maritime prefecture said in a statement.</p> <p>In the morning, 30 passengers were rescued from a boat near Dunkirk, while the others onboard wished to continue onward and were taken into British custody once they reached British waters, the maritime authorities said.</p> <p>Another boat experiencing engine damage was spotted later in the day, also near Dunkirk, and all 51 passengers were rescued.</p> <p>Later, 26 people were taken off a boat having trouble near Calais.</p> <p>The English Channel is "a particularly dangerous area, especially at the height of winter for precarious and overloaded boats," the statement said.</p> <p>At least 73 migrants have died trying to cross the Channel to Britain in 2024, according to the Pas-de-Calais authorities, making it the deadliest year on record for the crossings.</p> <p>Tens of thousands more have reached Britain, where the government has vowed to crack down on people-smuggling gangs.</p> <p>In November, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for greater international cooperation against the gangs, which he described as a "global security threat similar to terrorism." </p>
Content TypeText
LanguageEnglish
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateDecember 25, 2024 21:57 EST
BylineAgence France-Presse
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
