Indian Man Dies Attempting English Channel Crossing

An Indian man in his 40s died on Sunday morning in northern France when the inflatable boat he and other migrants boarded to cross the English Channel deflated shortly after departure. This incident marks a tragic addition to a record year for migrant fatalities during crossing attempts, with 56 deaths reported so far in 2024. The boat launched from Tardinghen, and while most passengers managed to swim back to shore, the man suffered a cardiac arrest and could not be resuscitated. The rising number of migrants attempting to reach the UK this year has surpassed the total for all of 2023, with over 29,578 arrivals recorded. Increasingly strict asylum policies and hostile attitudes towards migrants are contributing to the perilous crossings. The French coastguard has issued warnings about the dangers of navigating one of the world's busiest shipping channels, where treacherous conditions can arise unexpectedly.