Overview
- A large clandestine departure from Berck left the shore the night of 4 October and was intercepted off Merlimont by SNSM teams guided by CROSS Gris‑Nez with help from the Guardia Civil vessel Rio Segura.
- Rescuers pulled four seriously injured people from the overloaded craft and attempted 43 minutes of resuscitation for two men who were later declared dead around midnight.
- Two Somali women aged about 20 and 26 were hospitalized with large-area burns and one had respiratory distress, with one patient reportedly airlifted later to Lille for specialist care.
- Authorities say the burns are consistent with a chemical reaction when petrol aboard small boats mixes with seawater, a known hazard that is worsened by rapid embarkation and extreme overcrowding.
- Departures from the Pas‑de‑Calais coast have risen in recent days and this incident follows another deadly Channel attempt last week, prompting the judicial probe and renewed attention on rescue, identification, and criminal inquiries.