3 die off northern France coast in Channel crossing attempt 

At least three migrants died early Sunday while trying to cross the English Channel into Britain from northern France, authorities said. The death was confirmed after an early morning rescue operation involving the French emergency services and the “Dauphin” naval helicopter.

About 50 people were stranded in the water and on the beach near Sangatte around 6 a.m., according to the regional prefecture. Rescuers helped 45 people, including four who were transported to hospitals.

Three unconscious people were pulled out of the water, but despite the efforts of the medical teams, it was not possible to revive them.

The investigation was opened by prosecutors in Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Jacques Billant, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, said the overcrowded ship could have contributed to the tragedy.

“There were more people trying to get on board than the ship could hold,” he said during a press conference on Sunday.

Sunday’s tragedy comes amid a surge in attempts to cross the Channel as 2024 draws to a close. Officials have noticed a significant increase in attempted crossings over the past few days.

“Since December 24, 23 maritime incidents have been thwarted by internal security forces, saving more than 1,000 lives,” Billant said. “But crossing attempts continue, despite the extremely dangerous conditions at sea. The water is icy, so survival time in the water is very short.”

This year has been one of the deadliest for migrants trying to make the perilous journey between France and England, one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, with at least 76 deaths, according to officials.

Billant blamed human traffickers for putting lives at risk.

“These are low-quality boats that these criminal networks put into the water solely for the sake of making money and they have no regard for the lives of these children, women and men,” he said.

In November, a French court convicted 18 people in a migrant smuggling trial that shed light on the lucrative but often deadly clandestine business of transporting people across the English Channel.

Despite French and British efforts to stop it, the route remains a major smuggling corridor for people fleeing conflict or poverty. Migrants prefer the UK because of language, family ties or easier access to asylum and work.