Two women were found dead inside a small boat that was attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK. The women, believed to be in their 20s and of Sudanese origin, were on a dinghy carrying 82 people off the coast of Neufchatel-Hardelot in the Pas-de-Calais region on Sunday morning (May 3).
Incident Details
French authorities reported that the boat, which departed from the south area of Neufchatel-Hardelot at approximately 1:30am, began drifting out at sea due to a technical issue. Christophe Marx, secretary general of the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, stated during a press briefing that the boat ran aground on the beach. According to media outlet France 24, he confirmed that the two women were discovered dead inside the vessel. An investigation and hearings will be conducted to determine their nationalities.
Emergency Response
Three individuals were in a state of "absolute emergency," suffering burns from a mixture of fuel and sea water. An additional 14 were in a state of "relative emergency," including five who were transported to a hospital. The 17 migrants were taken aboard the French rescue vessel The Minck, with the French Gendarmerie's coastal patrol boat Armoise also participating in the large-scale operation. They were brought back to the Boulogne-sur-Mer harbour in Pas-de-Calais at 4am. The remaining migrants on board returned to the beach, where they received assistance from emergency services and security forces.
Official Statement
In a statement, French authorities declared: "All state services were mobilised to respond to this incident, with the involvement of the national gendarmerie, border police, aerial resources — including drones — the departmental fire and rescue service, as well as volunteers from Civil Protection, and resources co-ordinated by CROSS Gris-Nez under the authority of the Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea. Smuggling networks, driven by criminal motives and a total disregard for human life, continue to endanger vulnerable people by organising crossings in makeshift boats. The state maintains a firm response to these actions and, in co-ordination with the judicial authorities, continues its efforts to combat these networks."
Recent Tragedies
The deaths of the women come just weeks after four people drowned after being swept away by strong currents while attempting to cross the Channel on April 9. A similar crossing attempt on April 1 also resulted in the deaths of two migrants. According to the latest Home Office figures, 325 migrants arrived in the UK in six boats on Saturday. So far this year, the total number of arrivals stands at 6,796 — a 41% decrease compared to the same point last year and 18% down on 2024, according to Press Association analysis. Pictures showed crossings continued on Sunday as people in life jackets disembarked from a Border Security Command boat.
