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129 migrants rescued, one dead
Due to relatively favourable weather conditions, numerous migrant vessels have been monitored by the CROSS Gris-Nez and CROSS Jobourg since Sep 21. 129 people facing imminent danger have been rescued and brought to safety by rescue assets coordinated by the CROSS centers. One person also died, possibly during an incident involving boarding an inflatable boat. On the evening of Sep 21, two people in the water were rescued by the RHIB 'Dominique Semaine-SNS 7002' of the Ouistreham SNSM, while the CROSS Jobourg was monitoring a vessel that had departed from the Port-en-Bessin area. The survivors were handed over to SDIS emergency services upon reaching shore. Subsequently, early on the morning of Sep 22, a migrant vessel reported a propulsion failure to CROSS Gris-Nez in the Étaples area (Pas-de-Calais). CROSS then deployed the 'Minck' to assist the 102 people on board. They were subsequently brought ashore at the port of Boulogne to be attended to by the authorities. During the night of Sep 22 , five people in distress on the beach—following an attempted departure between Hardelot and Equihen—were assisted by SDIS emergency teams. Among them were a pregnant woman and two individuals suffering from hypothermia; the latter were transferred to the hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer. The same night, 20 people were rescued by the Spanish Guardia Civil patrol vessel 'Duque de Ahumada'—operating under the orders of the Maritime Prefect off the coast of Dieppe—after their boat began taking on water. The CROSS Gris-Nez deployed the all-weather lifeboat 'SNS 080-Notre Dame de Bonsecours' from the Dieppe SNSM station to pick up the 20 individuals and bring them to the port of Dieppe, where they were taken into the care of shore-based authorities. Finally, on the morning of Sep 23, a body was discovered on the beach at Hardelot. The Gendarmerie has opened an investigation to determine the circumstances of the death.
81 migrants rescued and one recovered dead in numerous operations
Several vessel departures were reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez between Aug 26 and Aug 28. To monitor the migrant boats, the following assets were deployed: - the VCSM 'Oyapock'; - the rescue vessels 'Minck' and 'Ridens'; - the patrol vessels PSP 'Flamant' and PSP 'Cormoran'; - the French Navy helicopter 'Rescue Guepard Whiskey', based at Le Touquet; - the ALB 'SNS 089-Cap Fagnet' from the Fécamp SNSM station (Dept. 76); - the RHIB 'SNS 7665-Le Petit Chalandot' from the Veulettes-sur-Mer SNSM station (Dept. 76); - a Mobile Emergency and Resuscitation Service (SMUR) team; - rescue and victim assistance vehicles (VSAV), as well as a personal watercraft from the Departmental Fire and Rescue Operational Centre (CODIS) 62. On the morning of Aug 26, the departure of a boat off the coast of Fécamp was reported to CROSS Gris-Nez. The 'SNS 089' and 'SNS 7665-Veulettes-sur-Mer', the PSP 'Flamant', the 'Minck', the VCSM 'Oyapock', and CODIS 62 assets were successively deployed to monitor the boat during the boarding and crossing phases. During the night of Aug 26, the 'Minck' deployed its operational tender (EDO) to rescue occupants requesting assistance. Four people were thus taken aboard and subsequently brought ashore at Boulogne-sur-Mer, where they were handed over to land-based authorities. Shortly after midnight on Aug 27, another boat was reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez in the Wissant area. The patrol vessel 'Cormoran' was deployed to secure and monitor the craft. It launched its RHIB and took five people—including a child—on board. They were also brought ashore at Calais. On the night of Aug 27–28, a third boat, carrying over 110 people, was reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez in the Gravelines area. The 'Ridens' was deployed to monitor the situation. Early on the morning of Aug 28, the 'Ridens' picked up 72 migrants, who were requesting assistance. During the rescue operation, the crew discovered one person in cardiac arrest on the boat, and three others who were injured. CPR was immediately initiated by the crew, while the CROSS Gris-Nez dispatched the 'Rescue Guepard Whiskey' helicopter to deploy a medical team onto the 'Ridens'. Despite the significant resources deployed and the rapid response, the doctor pronounced the individual dead upon arrival. Subsequently, the helicopter flew to the hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer with one of the injured individuals, who required urgent medical care. Meanwhile, the 'Ridens' continued its mission, transporting the rescued migrants—including the two people with minor injuries—to Calais. The vessel continued its journey toward the United Kingdom, but its remaining 45 occupants were ultimately picked up by a British rescue asset. In total, between Aug 26 and 28, 81 people were rescued.
96 migrants rescued at Le Touquet
On the morning of August 17, 2026, a migrant boat was reported to the CROSS Gris-Nez north of Fort-Mahon. The boat was heading towards the beach at Le Touquet. To monitor the situation, the following resources were deployed by CROSS: - the 'Minck'; - the French Navy's Dauphin helicopter based in Le Touquet; - the RHIB 'SNS 7-034 - Notre-Dame-des-Sables' from the SNSM station in Berck-sur-Mer; - the ambulance (VSAV) from CODIS 62; - a light rescue boat (BLS) from CODIS 62; - The SDIS personal watercraft from CODIS 62. To assist with the embarkation phase on the beach at Le Touquet and to rescue migrants in distress, the 'Minck' deployed its operational rescue craft (EDO). As a group of 60 people prepared to board, the CROSS Gris-Nez dispatched the 'Notre Dame Des Sables' and informed the Departmental Operational Center for Fire and Rescue (CODIS) 62, which deployed a Victim Rescue and Assistance Vehicle (VSAV) and a light rescue boat (BLS). The French Navy's Dauphin helicopter and the CODIS 62 watercraft were subsequently deployed to assist a second group of approximately 30 people still in the water. The gendarmerie ashore then reported to CROSS a group of people experiencing significant difficulties in the currents. The Dauphin helicopter rescued four people, while the RHIB rescued six others, who were attempting to return to the beach but refusing all assistance. A diver on board helped them cross. The migrant boat then resumed its voyage, but suffered an engine failure shortly afterwards. The EDO of the 'Minck' then rescued all the occupants. In total, 96 people were rescued and disembarked at the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
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