Indian man killed when boat deflates while trying to cross English Channel

Officials said he had a “cardio-respiratory arrest” (Representation)

An Indian man died on Sunday while trying to cross the English Channel to Britain, French officials said.

He set off from Tardingen beach in northern France but was killed when the vessel, which was in “very poor condition”, deflated “immediately” after leaving the beach, officials said.

Not all passengers had life jackets, but most of those on board were able to swim to shore.

The man, in his 40s, went into “cardiopulmonary arrest” and emergency services were unable to revive him, officials said.

A record 56 people died on the France-Britain cross-Channel route in 2024.

Last week, two men and a woman died when their boat sank about two kilometers offshore near the port city of Calais. Last week, a four-month-old baby died in a boat accident.

More than 29,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel since the start of 2024, according to officials.