Two Sudanese women die in overcrowded migrant boat crossing from northern France

Two women believed to be from Sudan died after an overcrowded small boat attempting to cross the English Channel from northern France ran aground, according to French authorities and multiple wire-service reports.

Officials said the vessel left Hardelot beach and was carrying about 82 people when it lost power, drifted and ran aground near Neufchâtel-Hardelot. Seventeen people were rescued at sea and taken to Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The women who died were believed to be in their 20s, according to the initial official briefing cited in the research. Later reporting quoted the charity Utopia 56 as saying the victims were a 16-year-old girl and a 20-year-old woman, but that identification has not been officially confirmed.

Other passengers were injured, including some reported in critical condition.

What happened

The boat was part of another attempt to cross from France to the UK by small boat. French authorities said the overcrowded vessel ran into trouble after departing overnight, leaving rescue crews to respond to both the deaths and the injured passengers.

The incident adds to the continuing toll of dangerous Channel crossings, where smugglers routinely pack migrants into unsafe boats for the journey.

What happens next

Investigators have not yet released a final determination of the cause of death. The final identification of the two victims and the medical condition of the injured passengers may still be updated as the response continues.