A boat carrying 70 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel from France to the UK sank late last night, according to Ranj Pishdari, a refugee activist in Europe.

Among the migrants, 20 were Kurds, including some from the Raperin administration. According to Pishdari, a cargo ship spotted the stranded migrants before French authorities arrived to rescue them. The rescued individuals are currently in French police custody.

Thousands of migrants attempt the dangerous crossing each year. 

UK government data shows that from January 1 to February 10, at least 1,554 migrants successfully crossed the Channel. In 2024, the total number of crossings reached 36,816, while the International Organization for Migration has recorded at least 78 migrant deaths in the Channel.