All articles tagged with #english channel
A Sunday Times investigation finds Russia’s sanctioned oil is shipped through the English Channel by a vast, opaque 'shadow fleet', netting about £239bn since 2022; with many vessels flouting sanctions, Britain is weighing unmanned drone-boat patrols to shadow and seize tanker loads, and debates a broader maritime ban to curb this revenue while warning of spill risks.
Two women died while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to the UK on a makeshift boat, amid ongoing migrant crossings and rescue efforts, with over 60 migrants rescued overnight and 17 deaths reported this year.
Small boat crossings to the UK in the first half of 2024 increased by 48% compared to the previous year, with nearly 20,000 arrivals, driven by factors beyond weather, including smuggling networks and migration demand, amid ongoing political and diplomatic discussions.
Over 1,100 migrants crossed the English Channel into the UK in a single day in 2025, marking the highest daily total this year, with ongoing concerns about border control and smuggling networks, prompting calls for increased cooperation with French authorities.
Daisy Ridley stars as Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle in Disney's new biopic "The Young Woman and the Sea," which chronicles Ederle's journey to becoming the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926. Ridley underwent extensive swim training for the role, which highlights Ederle's early life and her historic 21-mile swim.
"Young Woman And The Sea" is a Disney biopic directed by Joachim Ronning, starring Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle, the first woman to swim the English Channel in 1926. The film, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, highlights Ederle's perseverance and triumph over societal and physical challenges, featuring strong performances and impressive cinematography. The movie will have a limited theatrical release before streaming.
A young girl died and several others were injured after a small boat capsized on the English Channel crossing route used by migrants hoping to reach Britain from France. The boat, carrying 16 people, was too small for the number of passengers, leading to the tragic incident. This comes after three people died in a similar attempt earlier in the week, highlighting the dangers faced by migrants making the perilous journey across the channel.
A seven-year-old girl drowned after a small boat carrying 16 people capsized in the English Channel, marking the third fatal crossing attempt this year. The boat, which was not appropriately sized for the passengers, overturned in northern France, leading to the girl's tragic death. This incident adds to the rising number of channel crossings, with boat arrivals to the UK increasing significantly in recent years. The UK and France have signed a pact to address the issue, but challenges persist, including the arrest of people smugglers operating a sophisticated network.
A seven-year-old girl has died and several others were hospitalized after a small boat carrying 16 migrants capsized near Dunkirk in northern France. Officials believe the boat was not suitable for the number of people on board and may have been stolen. This incident follows a series of tragedies in the English Channel, with three migrants dying on Wednesday and a total of 249 people being rescued throughout the day. Home Office figures show that over 2,000 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year.
German, French, and Belgian police have arrested 19 people, including five leaders, in connection with a smuggling gang that operated in the English Channel, capable of sending eight vessels to the UK daily. The gang, comprised of Iraqi and Syrian nationals of Kurdish origin, obtained boats from China via Turkey and operated from Germany, crammed up to 55 people into a boat designed for 10, and charged between €1,000 and €3,000 for a place. The operation, described as "highly professional" by Europol, is linked to at least 55 crossings, and investigations into financial and money laundering activities are ongoing.
Ibrahima Bah, a Senegalese migrant, has been found guilty of the manslaughter of four migrants who drowned in the English Channel while he piloted a boat in December 2022. Bah, who had claimed he was forced by violent smugglers to make the journey, was also found guilty of facilitating a breach of immigration law. The court heard that the boat was not seaworthy and lacked safety equipment, and Bah continued the crossing even after signs the boat was deflating. He will be sentenced on Friday.
Ibrahima Bah, a migrant navigating an inflatable boat in the English Channel, has been found responsible for the death of four people, marking the first time a migrant has been held accountable for harm caused to other occupants. Bah, who claimed to be coerced into steering the unseaworthy vessel, faced complex legal questions about his responsibility for the deaths. The case highlighted the clash between laws punishing illegal immigration and protecting genuine asylum seekers, ultimately resulting in Bah's conviction for manslaughter.
One person died and another was hospitalized in critical condition after a migrant boat carrying over 60 people partially deflated in the English Channel. French maritime authorities rescued 66 individuals, including the deceased, after the boat encountered difficulty off the coast of Grand-Fort-Philippe. The English Channel has been a common route for migrants seeking to reach Britain, with over 29,000 arrivals this year. The UK government is facing criticism for its plan to send some asylum-seekers to Rwanda, which has been deemed illegal by the UK Supreme Court. Calls for safe routes and greater cooperation across Europe have intensified following this tragic incident.
Britain's Parliament is set to vote on a law that would send asylum seekers who cross the English Channel to claim asylum to Rwanda, a country over 4,000 miles away. The proposed legislation aims to deter illegal migration routes, but critics argue that it sets a dangerous precedent and violates human rights. The vote follows delays, resignations, and legal challenges. If passed, the legislation could still face obstacles in the House of Lords. The British government has already paid Rwanda $300 million for the asylum scheme, despite no deportations having taken place yet. Critics argue that the money could be better spent addressing poverty and basic needs in Rwanda.
A crew member on the AIDAperla cruise ship fell overboard in the English Channel, prompting a search and rescue operation. The ship is currently circling in a search pattern while the UK Coastguard coordinates the search using helicopters, aircraft, and lifeboats. The AIDAperla is one of the largest vessels in the AIDA cruise line and is owned by the Carnival Corporation. The arrival of the ship in La Coruna, Spain, may be delayed due to the ongoing search.