French authorities rescued over a hundred migrants trying to cross the English Channel on Wednesday, Christmas day, taking advantage of improved weather at the end of what has been the deadliest year on record for Channel crossings.
French rescuers launched twelve operations throughout the day along the coast of northern France that picked up 107 migrants, the Channel and North Sea maritime prefecture said in a statement.
In the morning, 30 people were rescued from a boat near Dunkirk, while the others onboard, who wished to continue onwards, were left to be taken into British custody once they reached British waters.
Another 51 people were rescued from a boat experiencing engine damage near Dunkirk, and 26 people were taken off a boat experiencing difficulty near Calais.
The Channel is “a particularly dangerous area, especially at the height of winter for precarious and overloaded boats,” the statement said.
Storms and strong winds have made crossing attempts impossible for a week, but the weather improved on Tuesday, resulting in dozens of boats attempting the crossing.
Authorities in the Dover harbour said over a hundred people arrived in the early morning. The British Home Office has yet to publish its daily arrivals count.
(with AFP)
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