Four people have died off the coast of northern France after attempting to board a vessel to cross the English Channel, according to local authorities. The incident occurred early Thursday morning near Saint-Étienne-au-Mont, south of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
"The currents, which can be dangerous here, swept them away," said the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, describing the victims as two men and two women who had "tried to board a water taxi."
Emergency services including diving firefighters responded to the scene around 7:30 AM local time. Thirty-eight people were rescued during the operation, with three requiring emergency treatment—including two children taken to hospital as a precaution.
François-Xavier Lauch, representing the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, noted the victims were "already quite far into the sea" when the incident occurred. The boat they attempted to board continued its journey toward the UK with approximately 30 people aboard.
This tragedy brings the total number of confirmed deaths linked to migrant Channel crossings to six this year, according to UN migration agency records.
A UK government spokesperson expressed deep sadness, stating: "Every death in the Channel is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people for profit."
The incident highlights evolving smuggling tactics, with gangs increasingly using "taxi-boats" that cruise along the coastline to pick up passengers waiting in the sea—a method designed to avoid police patrols on beaches.
Crossing attempts have increased in recent days due to calm weather conditions, though overall numbers remain lower than last year. Between January 1 and April 7, 2026, 4,903 people crossed the English Channel by small boat—28% fewer than during the same period in 2025.