The French coastguard rescued 106 people from a single boat after it broke down while attempting to cross the English Channel. Authorities were alerted to the stricken vessel on Saturday and transferred the migrants to a rescue ship, which arrived in Calais early Sunday.
Earlier, coastguards had assisted seven people struggling to board the boat near Wimereux, including a woman who lost consciousness and was airlifted to safety. In a separate incident, six more migrants were rescued, bringing the total to 119.
A French Coast Guard spokesperson described the area as "one of the busiest in the world" with harsh weather conditions, including strong winds, currents, and cold water that can be fatal within minutes. "It is a particularly dangerous area, even when the sea looks calm," they warned.
The rescues come less than a week after the UK and France signed a £662 million agreement to curb Channel crossings. Under the deal, riot-trained police will patrol French beaches, and hundreds of migrants per year could be deported. The UK Home Office said £501 million will fund enforcement, with up to £160 million more available if crossings decrease.
Between January 1 and April 22, 2026, 6,077 people crossed the Channel by small boat, a 37% drop compared to the same period last year.