Migration: Two more deaths on beaches in Pas-de-Calais, three in two days

Two men died Thursday on beaches in Pas-de-Calais, where clandestine Channel crossing attempts took place, AFP learned from the prefecture and the prosecutor's office, the day after a death in similar circumstances.

In Camiers, emergency services intervened "after a boat carrying migrants was reported to be in difficulty," explained the Pas-de-Calais prefecture, contacted by AFP.

While 70 people were waiting on the beach, a "scuffle" occurred when a boat approached the shore, according to the prefecture. About thirty people managed to board.

A "male adult" was then discovered by the police "in the water", "in cardiorespiratory arrest".

Cardiac massage was then administered, without success, according to the prefecture, which did not specify the age or nationality of the deceased.

A few kilometers to the north, "the lifeless body of a person, aged around thirty, of African appearance, was discovered on the beach of Neufchâtel-Hardelot" around 3:15 p.m., the prefecture added.

It is a man, Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor Cécile Gressier told AFP, confirming information from local radio station Radio6.

On Wednesday morning, the body of a man was found on the same beach, brought back by the waves to the shore shortly after an attempt to leave clandestinely for England.

Before these three deaths, at least 16 people had already lost their lives since the beginning of the year in attempts to cross the Strait of Dover, one of the busiest sea passages in the world.

Numerous clandestine crossings have taken place from the northern coasts of France in recent days, taking advantage of a favorable weather window.

According to figures from the British Home Office, 781 migrants arrived in the UK on Wednesday, the highest number recorded in a single day since the beginning of the year.

In total, 18,565 migrants have reached England via this route since January, a figure down by more than 40% compared to the same period in 2025.