Child among two migrants found dead after small boat to UK explodes | World | News
Emergency services made the discovery early Sunday on a beach near Neufchâtel-Hardelot, south of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The victims, aged 16 and 29, were found inside an overcrowded inflatable boat that ran aground.
Authorities said that the boat was carrying approximately 82 people, and its engine caught fire and exploded around 03:00 at night, which caused panic on the ship.
Christophe Marx, from Pas de Calais province, said: “They were on a small boat carrying about eighty-two people. The boat ran aground on the beach and the victims were found dead inside the boat.”
Survivors described how the fire forced passengers to scramble for safety. One Iranian survivor said: “There was something wrong with the engine and it caught fire. That pushed everyone backwards.”
Local mayor Paulette Juilien Peuvion confirmed the ages of the victims and said others were also seriously injured. He said: “One of the victims was only sixteen years old and the second was not yet thirty.
“One man on the boat suffered serious burns and was transported to hospital by emergency vehicle, while five others were in critical condition.”
Prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation and those involved have not yet been identified.
In a separate incident, 17 migrants were rescued by a French navy ship and brought safely ashore.
The tragedy follows a series of recent deaths off the coast of northern France.
Four people died trying to reach a boat offshore near Équihen-Plage last month, with two more deaths reported days ago.
The number of crossings has increased as weather conditions have improved, despite new measures from the UK government aimed at preventing people smuggling, led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Officials say the Canal remains one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world, as overcrowded boats and dangerous conditions continue to put lives at risk.
