Four die trying to cross Channel after busiest day of 2026 for migrant crossings

Four migrants died while trying to cross the English Channel after Wednesday became the busiest day of 2026 so far for arrivals to the UK. The French coastguard said it spotted a boat leaving the Dunkirk area around 6am, then found three people unconscious on board. They were taken to shore, but all were later pronounced dead despite resuscitation attempts. A fourth person was believed to have drowned in a separate incident near Boulogne-sur-Mer. The UK Home Office reported 752 arrivals in nine boats on Wednesday. Overall, 13,376 migrants have reached the UK in small boats this year—45% fewer than this time last year—after a France deal in April to intercept vessels.