Two women die in attempted Channel crossing from France to UK | News
Two Women Die During Attempted English Channel Crossing
Published May 3, 2026
CALAIS, France — Two women believed to be in their 20s and originally from Sudan died while attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat carrying 82 people, French authorities reported Sunday.
Christophe Marx, a regional government official, stated that the boat departed from northern France late Saturday night. Shortly thereafter, it encountered engine failure, leading to the vessel drifting at sea. Seventeen individuals were rescued and transported to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The remaining 65 passengers eventually ran aground on a beach near Neufchâtel-Hardelot, approximately 12 kilometers (7 miles) south of Boulogne-sur-Mer. Marx confirmed that the two women were found deceased inside the boat, believed to have succumbed to crushing or asphyxiation due to overcrowding.
Thirteen individuals sustained moderate injuries, while three others suffered serious wounds, including burns, and were hospitalized for treatment. Those receiving care will be interviewed by border police as part of an ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crossing.
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by both British and French authorities in managing the rise in small boat crossings by migrants and refugees. The situation has fueled increased support for far-right political parties in both countries, such as Reform UK and France’s National Rally party.
Previously this month, two people died off the coast of Gravelines, France, on April 1, while two men and two women drowned on April 9 after being swept away by strong currents. In 2025, at least 29 individuals lost their lives at sea in the region, according to a tally by AFP based on official sources.
Last month, the British government announced plans to provide France with up to £660 million ($895.8 million) over three years to bolster border security efforts aimed at curbing migrant crossings. Part of this funding will be contingent on measurable results.
In response, France is set to enhance police and gendarmerie patrols along the coast, while the UK will increase its contribution to funding these border operations. French officials noted a significant reduction in the number of migrants arriving in the UK so far this year compared to 2025.
