Two Young Women Die in Channel Migrant Boat Grounding

Two young women died early Sunday when a small boat carrying 82 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel from northern France to Britain suffered engine failure and ran aground on a beach.

The vessel departed overnight from Saturday to Sunday near Boulogne-sur-Mer but drifted after its engine would not start, according to Christophe Marx, a regional government official in Pas-de-Calais. French authorities rescued 17 people at sea and brought them to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer. The boat with the remaining 65 people aboard eventually beached at Neufchatel-Hardelot, about 12 kilometers south of the port, where the bodies of the two women, both believed to be around 20 years old and possibly of Sudanese origin, were found inside.

Thirteen people sustained moderate injuries, while three others suffered serious wounds, including burns, and were hospitalized. Marx said the injured would be treated and later interviewed by border police to identify those responsible for organizing the crossing. An investigation is underway to confirm the victims' nationalities and examine potential involvement by smuggling networks.

This incident marks the third deadly Channel crossing attempt...