Photo credit: the independent
More than 100 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in a single boat have been rescued by the French coastguard after it broke down.
Independent reports that the “taxi boat” was spotted travelling east along the coast towards Wimereux to pick up people during the early hours of Sunday morning.
The boat later broke down during its crossing attempt, and the 106 migrants on board had to be moved onto a rescue ship before being taken to Calais.
Several people got into difficulty while trying to climb into the boat, including a woman who lost consciousness and had to be evacuated by helicopter, according to the French coastguard.
A French Coast Guard spokesperson said: “This maritime area is one of the busiest in the world, and weather conditions are often harsh (strong winds and currents, numerous sandbanks, and water temperatures that reduce life expectancy to just a few minutes in winter).
According to regional maritime officials, a total of 119 people were taken to safety during three separate rescue operations carried out along France’s northern coastline on Saturday.
The incidents highlight the continued risks faced by migrants who attempt the crossing in small boats.
The latest resque comes after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood signed a three-year agreement with France on Thursday to pay 662 million pounds to support beachh patrols as part of efforts to drive down the number of arrivals.
