French navy rescues 85 migrants amid dangerous channel crossings

The French navy rescued 85 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel on Wednesday, maritime authorities reported. The rescue operation took place after a migrant boat became stranded on a sandbank off France’s Pas-de-Calais region.

A navy tugboat saved 80 passengers from the stranded vessel and five more from another boat in a separate location. The migrants were brought to Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they received assistance from emergency services and border police.

Over 70 migrants have died attempting the perilous Channel crossing this year, according to local authorities. Tens of thousands, however, have successfully reached Britain, prompting the UK government to intensify efforts against people-smuggling operations.