Syrian Migrant Dies in First Channel Crossing Fatality of 2025

A 20-year-old man was crushed on a leaking dinghy during an attempted crossing from France to the UK, highlighting ongoing dangers for migrants.

A young Syrian man died of cardiac arrest, likely caused by being crushed on an overcrowded dinghy during a Channel crossing attempt near Sangatte, France.
This marks the first recorded migrant death in the Channel in 2025, following a record 77 fatalities at sea in 2024.
French authorities have arrested two individuals in connection with the incident, as part of an investigation into human smuggling networks.
Over 36,800 migrants crossed the Channel in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, despite heightened efforts by the UK and France to curb crossings.
Protests in Calais are calling for safer migration routes and improved rescue operations, as critics highlight the deadly consequences of current policies.