DAILY POST
The French government says no fewer than 12 migrants died off the northern French coast on Tuesday trying to cross the Channel to England, saying a major rescue operation was underway.
The French Interior Minister, Gerald Darmanin, while announcing the death toll on X, also said that two migrants were still missing.
According to him, several others were wounded after their boat carrying dozens ran into trouble off Wimereux, a town some five kilometres (three miles) from Boulogne-sur-Mer on the French coast.
Darmanin added that he was travelling to the area of the disaster to meet with officials, adding that all government services were mobilised to find the missing people and treat the injured.
French maritime authorities said that emergency services were out in force and supplying urgent medical assistance.
Naval officer Etienne Baggio said French navy helicopters, fishing boats, and military vessels were being mobilised for the operation, which is still ongoing.
