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PAS-DE-CALAIS, FRANCE — On the morning of Monday, August 12, 2024, the Gris-Nez Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center (CROSS) coordinated a series of rescue operations after being alerted that several migrant boats had set sail and were facing difficulties off the coast of Pas-de-Calais.
The first rescue operation involved the deployment of the Ridens, a state-chartered rescue ship. Upon reaching the distressed vessel, the crew found 66 people onboard who immediately requested assistance. The rescue team launched their Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) to safely transfer the migrants from their precarious situation to the Ridens. The rescued individuals were subsequently brought ashore and disembarked at the quay in Calais, where they were received and cared for by land rescue services.
Simultaneously, the CROSS dispatched another state-chartered vessel, the Minck, to locate and assist a second migrant boat. The Minck’s crew successfully rescued 32 people from the boat. However, in a striking turn of events, several individuals on the boat refused the assistance offered by the French authorities and opted to continue their perilous journey towards the UK.
The refusal of rescue services by some migrants has become a complex issue in such operations. During these situations, French authorities must balance the risks involved in attempting to force rescue—such as the potential for individuals to fall into the sea, suffer thermal shock, or sustain various injuries—with the migrants’ determination to continue their journey. As a result, the decision is often made to allow them to proceed if they persist in refusing assistance, despite the inherent dangers of crossing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes in small, overcrowded boats.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by French authorities as they work to manage the increasing number of migrants attempting to cross the English Channel. The operations conducted by the Ridens and Minck are part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of those attempting the dangerous crossing, even as the situation grows more complex with each passing day.
As the situation in the English Channel continues to evolve, the French government remains committed to responding to these emergencies while also addressing the broader issues of migration and border security. The rescued migrants in Calais will be processed by the appropriate services, where they will receive medical attention and assistance as necessary.
