A man died on Friday after attempting to cross the English Channel from a beach in northern France, local authorities reported on Saturday, raising the death toll in the dangerous waterway to at least 18 this year.
The prefecture of Pas‑de‑Calais told The Associated Press that the man was found in cardiac arrest aboard a small vessel that had attempted to reach Britain but then turned back toward French shores. He was located near Équihen beach, close to Boulogne‑sur‑Mer, and despite efforts by firefighters to revive him, he was pronounced dead. Investigators have opened a probe into the cause of death.
French media, citing France’s Interior Ministry, confirmed that at least 18 people have lost their lives trying to cross to Britain by sea since January 2025.
This marks another tragic incident in what has become a perilous migration route. Attempts to cross the Channel in small boats—often overcrowded and unseaworthy—have increasingly ended in disaster. Aid organizations and local authorities have repeatedly warned of the risks posed by smugglers and rising crossing attempts during warmer months.
This year’s fatalities come amid a record flow of migrants into the UK: as of mid-2025, arrivals continued to surge compared with previous years, with thousands detected each month and dozens more lives endangered. In 2024, small boat crossings claimed 73 lives, the deadliest annual total on record.
In response to the crisis, UK and French authorities are negotiating new policies. Recently, both governments agreed to a bilateral deal aiming to return migrants to France while accepting individuals with ties to the UK—a one-for-one exchange designed to deter unauthorized crossings. French police have also been given broader powers to intervene in the Coastal zone offshore. Critics warn that stricter enforcement without safe legal alternatives may lead to more tragedies.
Environmental and human rights groups have urged both countries to balance enforcement with humanitarian measures, including legal pathways and asylum support. The latest death—bringing this year’s total to at least 18—underscores the urgent need for coordinated action on both sides of the Channel.
