Woman dies on Channel crossing

A woman tragically died while attempting to cross the English Channel on a heavily overloaded dinghy that encountered difficulties near Calais. French authorities reported that emergency services were alerted around 5 am, and upon arrival, they found her unconscious; she later died at a hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer. This incident marks the seventh death in July alone attributed to overcrowded migrant vessels, raising concerns about the increasing fatalities occurring inside the boats themselves. A total of 34 other passengers were rescued, while some refused assistance and continued their journey toward Britain. The rising number of crossings has led to 23 fatalities this year, nearly double the total from 2023, as migrants seek asylum in the UK amid limited legal pathways. Authorities emphasize the need for safer routes as the situation continues to escalate, with migrants increasingly resorting to perilous crossings.