Perilous English Channel Crossing: Migrants Risk Lives Again

A day after a deadly attempt to cross the English Channel, another boat carrying several dozen migrants was seen making a similar effort. Associated Press journalists captured the scene as a French patrol vessel monitored the overcrowded inflatable boat, providing life vests and shadowing it for safety.

Just a day after a deadly attempt to cross the English Channel left 12 migrants dead, another boat carrying several dozen people appears to be making a similar effort from northern France's coastline on Wednesday, seemingly heading toward Britain.

Associated Press journalists on a beach in Wimereux, near the site of Tuesday's deadly sinking, broadcast live video of an inflatable boat crowded with migrants at sea.

Overcrowded and laden with passengers, the migrants had their legs dangling over the sides of the inflatable boat. As they wore orange life preservers, a small French patrol boat approached and tossed additional life vests. The French Gendarmerie's coastal patrol vessel Armoise was seen shadowing the inflatable from a distance, confirming an ongoing monitoring operation by French maritime authorities.

Despite the relatively calm sea conditions, the inflatable boat made slow progress, remaining visible from the shore for over an hour as an AP journalist filmed the scene.

(With inputs from agencies.)