Two people have died and two others sustained severe injuries while attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat, according to French authorities. The tragedy unfolded as nearly 150 additional migrants were rescued from a second vessel, prompting anti-migrant demonstrators to gather on England's south coast where they clashed with police in the Hampshire town of Gosport.
The fatal crossing occurred overnight from the French coastal town of Berck. A man in his 30s and another in his 40s perished during the journey toward England's south coast. Two women were hospitalised after suffering extensive burns across their bodies. According to regional reports, the two women burned were Somali nationals aged 20 and 26. The boat that encountered the fatal incident carried approximately 120 people, with roughly 20 unable to board and left in the water.
A spokesperson for the Pas-de-Calais prefecture stated:
An investigation has been opened by the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor's office to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. François-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, thanks all the services involved, particularly the firefighters, for their intervention and commitment during this operation.
The prefecture also highlighted the inherent dangers of the crossing, warning that strong tidal currents, sandbanks and heavy maritime traffic make the Channel particularly demanding for people attempting the journey.
Why are crossings continuing despite falling numbers?
Although the number of small boat crossings has declined in recent months, these incidents occur amid growing unrest in some quarters, partly fuelled by far-right agitators. The provisional total for Channel crossings this year stands at 19,451, representing a 43% decrease compared to the same period last year and 23% below the figure from the same time in 2024.
What happened in Gosport on Sunday night?
Demonstrators assembled in Gosport on Sunday evening in anticipation of another boat's arrival. This marked the second occasion protesters had targeted the town following rumours of rescued people disembarking there. Several rescued individuals were observed arriving at a marina in Gosport after being transported aboard two RNLI boats late on Sunday evening. Their dinghy had been shadowed by French rescue vessels while in the Channel until it was met by RNLI boats in English waters, according to ship tracking data.
The Home Office confirmed that 149 people were believed to be onboard the second vessel. In a statement, the department said:
The Border Security Command works around the clock to protect our border. We have established contingency plans to make sure we can securely disembark, check and process all small boat arrivals. Migrants will be transported to short-term holding facilities in Kent, where they will be processed as normal and undergo stringent health, security and biometric checks.According to official reports, the 149 people rescued were subsequently taken by coach to a processing centre in Kent.
How did police respond to the protests?
Hampshire and Isle of Wight constabulary deployed officers to Gosport to "support our partners in the event of an emergency at sea". Ambulances and coaches were also positioned in the area. The force imposed conditions under the Public Order Act and exercised powers prohibiting the wearing of face coverings. Demonstrations were largely peaceful, though reports indicated that flares were set off and some scuffles with police occurred. According to news reports, six people were arrested after clashes between police and protesters in Gosport.
Is this the first time Gosport has seen such protests?
Similar scenes unfolded last month when protesters gathered in the area expecting migrants to arrive on a dinghy, but those individuals were ultimately transported to Dover by sea. Six people were arrested by officers that evening as well. Departures from locations so far west on the northern French coast have been uncommon in recent years, but this represents the third such crossing within a month. In September, British rescue boats collected passengers from a dinghy that had spent approximately 30 hours at sea after departing from Normandy. The 51 people aboard, who declined assistance from the French coastguard, arrived in Dover after being transferred to Border Security Command boats.
What happens next?
The police dispersal order imposed in Gosport was scheduled to remain in force until 7am on Tuesday, 6 October, restricting further gatherings in the area during that period.
Key Facts:
- Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, died during an overnight Channel crossing from Berck, France
- Two Somali women aged 20 and 26 were hospitalised with severe burns sustained during the same incident
- Nearly 150 people were rescued from a second vessel and transported to Kent for processing
- Six arrests were made during clashes between anti-migrant protesters and police in Gosport
- Channel crossings this year total 19,451, down 43% compared to the same period in 2023
