Two dead after attempted small boat Channel crossing

Two migrants lost their lives during an attempt to cross the English Channel from France to Britain over the weekend, French authorities confirmed. Additionally, two women sustained severe burns and were hospitalized, though their injuries were deemed not life-threatening. La Voix du Nord, a northern French newspaper, reported that the burns might have been caused by a chemical reaction involving petrol and seawater. French prosecutors have launched an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

This unfortunate event follows a similar tragic incident just a week prior, where three individuals, including a 10-year-old child, perished during another failed attempt to cross the Channel. So far, at least 24 migrants have lost their lives along the Franco-British maritime border since the start of the year.

France has long been a departure point for migrants and asylum seekers without the necessary visas who seek to reach Britain by sea. Many of these individuals rely on smugglers and pay substantial sums to board often unstable and overcrowded inflatable boats for the perilous journey across one of the world's busiest maritime routes.