French authorities conducted 12 rescue operations off the northern coast during an ‘intense’ day of attempted crossings.
On Christmas Day, French marine officials conducted 12 rescue operations around northern France’s coast, rescuing 107 people in trouble in small boats attempting to enter the United Kingdom.
According to the French Channel and North Sea maritime prefect’s office, 30 passengers were rescued from a boat near Dunkirk on Christmas morning. In contrast, the remaining passengers continued their journey and were taken into British custody after entering UK seas.
Later that day, another boat with engine damage was found near Dunkirk. Its passengers called for help, and all 51 individuals were rescued.
Later, 26 people were rescued from a boat in danger near Calais.
On Christmas Day, the Channel Seas were relatively calm and windless, prompting increased risky crossings. During what officials described as an “intense” day, many departures were observed on the northern French coast. Charities had warned about potential deaths around Christmas.
Departures were reported from Dieppe in Seine-Maritime to Leffrinckoucke near Dunkirk as small boats and dinghies continued to push out along an increasingly extensive stretch of the northern French coast.
The maritime prefect’s office stated the Channel was “a particularly dangerous area, especially at the height of winter for precarious and overloaded boats.”
Charities in France have warned of an increase in attempted departures during the winter, when the sea appears calm but temperatures are extremely low, and small inflatable boats are overloaded. Over Christmas, charity workers remained present along France’s northern coast, assisting people who were frequently soaked, hurt, or in shock when tiny boats became stranded near the beach.
According to Pas-de-Calais police, at least 73 people have perished this year while attempting to cross the Channel to Britain, making 2024 the deadliest year on record. In October, a baby died as an overloaded boat began to sink off the French coastline.
In September, six children and a pregnant woman were among the 12 people killed when a boat carrying dozens of people was “ripped open” in one of the biggest Channel disasters since the small boat problem began.
Tens of thousands of people arrived in Britain on small boats in 2024, and the government has vowed to crack down on people smugglers.
In November, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged for further international collaboration against the gangs, which he described as a “global security threat similar to terrorism.”
