An emergency rescue mission has been launched this morning on the English Channel, right after news broke out relating to how a boat carrying 40 migrants had started to sink.
Local media outlets confirmed how the vessel soon started filling with water as soon as it made its entry into the United Kingdom this morning, August 12.
While sources claim one migrant was recently airlifted and shifted to a hospital on an urgent basis, the rescue mission is still reportedly taking place.
This news was also confirmed by officials from France who are closely watching the event as both Belgian as well as French units from the air and sea take part in the mission to bring the migrants to safety.
The urgent operation for recovery began during the early hours of this morning with searches taking into full swing by 10 am.
This was right after authorities received news from a cargo ship that spoke about the tragic event. It confirmed how a small boat with 40 people on board was doomed as it started to sink, just a few miles away from Dunkirk’s coast.
Some news reports also confirmed how so many passengers had fallen off the boat. Meanwhile, there was one person who was retrieved in an unconscious state and hence was quickly transported to a nearby lifeboat belonging to a cargo ship. And that’s when the man was transported to a navy vessel belonging to the French.
It is believed that he suffered a major cardiac arrest and is now being treated at the hospital for further evaluation.
In the same way, a number of other survivors are now being hoisted by a helicopter as the boat continues to sink. Some were taken aboard several fishing vessels who thankfully happened to be in the vicinity as a part of their daily routine.
Search operations with French-owned navy helicopters surveying the area are continuing at the moment as it is believed that more people may be stranded at the Dover Strait.
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