Three die as migrant boat capsizes in Channel off Wissant

At least three UK-bound migrants have died and dozens more were injured after an overcrowded dinghy carrying around 105 people capsized in the English Channel off the coast of Wissant, near Calais, on Monday morning.

French authorities confirmed the deaths. “A shipwreck involving a water taxi occurred today off the coast of Wissant,” the local prefecture said, putting the provisional death toll at three. AFP reported that about 100 people were thrown into the water when the vessel capsized, with two seriously injured, and the French coastguard launched a rescue operation.

A spokesman for the Pas-de-Calais prefecture described the vessel as a “water taxi”, meaning it had arrived relatively empty from an inland waterway before picking up passengers from the beach. “Sea conditions were calm – the weather is good,” the spokesman said. By 10:30am local time, six rescue boats were still at the scene searching for survivors.

French prosecutors have opened criminal investigations into the tragedy, with judicial police investigating.

The deaths bring the number of people killed attempting Channel crossings this year to at least 24, according to figures reported by The Sun. Multiple crossings have been attempted from the northern French coast in recent days as smugglers take advantage of calm seas, and the UK Home Office recorded 781 arrivals last Wednesday — the busiest single day of 2026.

Sources

• The Times — “Three dead as migrant boat capsizes in Channel” (French authorities; prefecture statement; AFP on rescues)
• The Sun / Scottish Sun — “At least 3 migrants die and dozens injured while trying to reach UK as dinghy capsizes crossing the Channel” (prefecture spokesman quotes; 105 on board; rescue boats; annual toll)
• Arab News (AFP) — “Three dead in migrant Channel crossing accident: French authorities” (prefecture confirmation, updated 28 Sept)