Two rescues and 132 people brought back to the French coast.
Rescue services came to the aid of two boats in difficulty in the Channel on Saturday, reports the Manche maritime prefecture in a press release.
They carried migrants seeking to reach the English coast from France.
The first boat was spotted early Saturday, leaving from Gravelines (North).
“In mid-morning, damage occurred on this boat and the 57 people on board were rescued by the Ridens”, a rescue ship.
They are then disembarked in the afternoon at the port of Calais (Pas-de-Calais), and taken care of by emergency services, writes the prefecture.
#Rescue operation of 12 people in the Strait of Pas-de-Calais, this Thursday, February 8.
Under the coordination of @CROSSGrisNez
Find the entire press release on this operation ➡️ https://t.co/vd0kREQBus pic.twitter.com/UivPlYQDGU
— Maritime Prefecture Channel and North Sea (@premarmanche) February 8, 2024
Another boat requests assistance in the middle of the day.
The 75 people on board were rescued by the Abeille Normandie, another rescue ship, and dropped off at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais) “in the presence of the rescue teams”.
The prefecture emphasizes having spotted several boat departures during the day on Saturday and having sent a helicopter to fly over those reported in difficulty.
Rescuers did not spot a man overboard.
“A particularly dangerous sector”
The authorities “warn anyone who plans to cross the Channel about the risks involved”, recalling that “this maritime sector is one of the busiest areas in the world, with more than 600 commercial ships passing through it per day and weather conditions are often difficult there.
It is “therefore a particularly dangerous sector, even when the sea seems beautiful.
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People regularly die trying to cross this stretch of sea: at least five migrants died in January trying to reach England.
But there are still many candidates for departure.
On February 10, British authorities recorded three boats approaching the British coast, carrying 124 people.