Several die trying to cross English Channel, says French minister

paris — 

Several people, including a child, died portion trying to transverse the English Channel from France to England, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said Saturday.

Attempts to transverse the transmission successful small, overloaded boats are predominant contempt beardown currents successful what is 1 of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

"Smugglers person the humor of these radical connected their hands and our authorities volition measurement up the combat against these mafias that signifier these deadly crossings," Retailleau said connected societal media level X.

Fourteen radical were connected the boat. One was flown by chopper to a infirmary aft a hunt and rescue cognition was conducted Saturday morning, section maritime authorities said.

The incidental was the latest successful a bid this year, including 1 past period successful which 12 migrants died erstwhile their vessel capsized successful the channel.