Four killed trying to cross English Channel: French authorities

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Lillie: Four migrants perished in two separate efforts to cross the English Channel from France to Britain, French authorities said Thursday, highlighting the ongoing perils of one of Europe's busiest migratory routes.

In the first instance, three people were discovered lifeless on a migrant boat near Dunkirk after a distress call early Thursday morning. They were carried ashore, but were pronounced dead. Authorities have initiated an investigation into the circumstances of the fatalities.

The fourth death, a man had died the night before when a small boat crashed off Hardelot on France's northwest coast. Six other persons, including a year-old kid, had minor injuries and were treated by emergency workers.

The most recent deaths happen as migrant crossings continue despite increased patrols and collaboration between France and the United Kingdom to tackle people smuggling networks. Humanitarian organisations have frequently warned that overcrowded, unsafe vessels make the Channel crossing one of the world's most hazardous migration routes.