The Coast Guard rescues 78 migrants trying to reach Britain by crossing the Channel. UK | news
The Channel has rescued dozens of migrants attempting to reach Britain from Belgium after their small boat’s engine broke down. 78 migrants were brought to safety by the French coast guard, meaning more than 100 people have been rescued from small boats in the Channel recently.
The French maritime province said it dispatched several ships on Friday after receiving reports of several boats carrying migrants. A translated statement from the French authority on Saturday morning said, “Following the engine failure of the migrant boat, (the coast guard ship) rescued 78 people, then disembarked them at the pier in Calais for the care of rescue services on land.”
It said, “Determined to reach the United Kingdom, migrants crossing aboard precarious boats refuse assistance offered through French channels and only accept it when facing extremely urgent circumstances.”
On Thursday, rescuers saved 25 individuals travelling in small boats from France and Belgium.
Official figures indicate that around 3,863 people have reached Britain by small boat so far in 2026.
The total includes 144 people who dangerously crossed the river in two boats on Thursday.
French coast guard spokesman said,
Urging others not to attempt the journey, a French coast guard spokesman said, “This maritime area is one of the busiest in the world and weather conditions are often difficult.
“So this stretch is a particularly dangerous area, even when the sea seems fine.”
It came as the Home Office confirmed the head of the UK Border Patrol will step down at the end of March as small boats continue to cross the Channel.
Martin Hewitt is leaving his post as Border Patrol commander after 18 months in the job.
His tenure saw the second-highest annual number of people crossing the Channel, with 41,472 people arriving in the UK by small boat last year.
