At least three UK-bound migrants are killed and dozens more severely injured as mega-dinghy capsizes off Calais

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 04:37 EDT, 28 September 2026 | Updated: 04:52 EDT, 28 September 2026 At least three UK-bound migrants died today and dozens more were severely injured when a mega-dinghy capsized in the English Channel.The accident happened off the coast at Wissant, near Calais, first thing on a Monday morning.A spokesman for the Pas-de-Calais confirmed 'a provisional total of three deaths and many more injured.' There were around 105 people on board the mega-dinghy, which was described by the local prefecture as a 'water taxi'.This means it arrived relatively empty from an inland waterway, before picking up passengers from the beach at Wissant.'Sea conditions were calm – the weather is good,' said the Prefecture spokesman.By 10.30am local time, six rescue boats were still surrounding the scene of the capsize, looking for survivors.It follows three migrants dying as they scrambled for places on board a boat last week. French prosecutors have opened criminal enquiries into all the tragedies, and judicial police are investigating.The latest deaths mean that at least 24 people, including women and children, have died in the Channel this year as they tried to get to Britain.Many have drowned, while others have been crushed to death in overcrowded boats.The worst tragedy of this kind came in November 2021, when 27 migrants died after a dinghy sank while heading to the UK – the highest recorded number of deaths from a single incident. Migrants clash with French police as they attempt to cross The Channel from Gravelines on September 28, 2026 Migrants gather as they try to leave the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to reach Britain, from the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, France, September 28, 2026 Migrants react as are they dispersed by police while they try to leave the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to reach Britain, from the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, France, September 28, 2026Multiple attempts at crossings have taken place from the coast of northern France over the last few days, as the smugglers take advantage of calm seas and good weather.According to figures from the UK Home Office, 781 migrants arrived in Britain last Wednesday – the highest single-day total recorded so far this year.In total, 18,565 migrants have reached England via this route since January, a figure down by more than 40 per cent compared to the same period in 2025.The surge in crossings also indicates that people-trafficking gangs are still getting hold of dinghies and outboard motors with ease, despite a crackdown on supply routes.Last week also saw two 'uncontrolled landings' in which migrant boats reached the UK without being intercepted by the authorities.In further chaotic scenes a dinghy launched from near Bayeux, in Normandy, made a record 38-hour voyage.They launched just before 10am on Monday and, on Tuesday afternoon, were picked up by RNLI lifeboats and later transferred to a Border Force cutter.The 51 migrants aboard were eventually brought ashore to Dover in the early hours of Wednesday.