French rescue teams in the Pas-de-Calais strait launched a series of urgent operations on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, saving 44 migrants from the perils of the English Channel. The coordinated effort involved multiple naval assets, including French Navy vessels, Gendarmerie patrol boats, and customs units. The rescues began after midnight when nine people were evacuated near Malo-les-Bains, followed by the rescue of 15 others near Dunkirk port and a further 20 migrants who requested emergency assistance later in the afternoon. All survivors were brought safely to French shores, though some required immediate hospitalisation.
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Despite these interventions, official figures indicate that 171 migrants successfully reached British territory on three separate vessels that same day, marking a resurgence in crossings following a period of poor weather. Maritime authorities have once again sounded the alarm regarding the Channel’s treacherous conditions, citing heavy commercial traffic and unpredictable currents that make overcrowded dinghies particularly vulnerable. They emphasised that the route remains one of the deadliest maritime passages in the world for illegal migration.
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Humanitarian groups on the ground, including Utopia 56, report that approximately 2,700 migrants are currently stationed between Calais and Dunkirk, waiting for favourable weather windows. Victor Meyer, a coordinator for the organisation, noted that more attempts are anticipated as wind conditions improve. This latest wave of crossings follows a grim 2025, during which over 41,000 people crossed the Channel, while at least 29 individuals lost their lives at sea.