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A group of suspected migrants crosses the English Channel in a small boat towards Dover (archive image)
Photo: Gareth Fuller / dpa
The ventilation of French ships saved 84 refugees from the English Channel.
The people were on their way to Great Britain in four boats, the authorities said on Saturday.
Accordingly, there were also several women and children among the rescued.
First, a navy patrol ship attacked eleven people off the coast of the seaside resort of Le Touquet during the night.
They were brought to Boulogne-sur-Mer.
A tug later rescued 24 people from another boat, including five children.
A French Coast Guard speedboat picked up 30 other people whose boat was in distress off the coast of Sangatte.
Among those rescued were a woman and a baby.
According to the information, two women and two children were among 19 other people rescued by the sea rescue organization SNSM.
According to the French authorities, more than 9,500 refugees attempted the risky crossing over the English Channel last year, significantly more than in 2019. At least six people were killed and three others are missing.
The route is very dangerous because of the heavy shipping traffic, strong currents, frequent fog and low water temperatures.
mjm / AFP