One dead, dozens rescued as migrant boat sinks near Gravelines

A migrant boat attempting to reach the UK has ended in tragedy, with one person confirmed dead and 72 others rescued near Gravelines.

A migrant boat attempting to reach the UK has ended in tragedy, with one person confirmed dead and 72 others rescued near Gravelines. The vessel was reportedly carrying more than 110 people at the time.

According to the French coastguard, a rescue ship kept watch on the boat from Thursday into Friday. Crew members found one person on board in urgent need of CPR. A rescue helicopter was sent to the scene, but the individual was later confirmed dead.

A statement from the Prefecture maritime de la Manche et de la mer du Nord confirmed that three people were found injured. One of them required emergency medical treatment immediately after being pulled from the water.

The incident followed a separate wave of crossings, with 494 migrants arriving in the UK just a day earlier on Thursday. Data reviewed by the Press Association showed that seven boats made the crossing that day, the first such attempt since August 17, when around 250 people had arrived.

Responding to the situation, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said enforcement had already been strengthened along French beaches and in overseas operations. She added that new legislation had been introduced specifically to address the factors pushing people toward dangerous and illegal crossing routes.

Amid the ongoing crisis, ministers are reportedly working to phase out the use of hotels for housing asylum seekers. Officials are instead looking at larger accommodation options, including former military sites, as a longer-term solution.

Government figures released this week also showed a notable shift. As of this past June, around 16,000 asylum seekers were staying in Home Office hotels, marking a fifty percent drop compared to the same period last year.

The tragedy adds to growing concern over the safety of these journeys, as authorities continue to grapple with balancing enforcement, legislation, and humanitarian response along one of the busiest and most dangerous migration routes in Europe.