British and French authorities are investigating following the death of an Afghan migrant and injuries sustained by others aboard a dinghy traveling from France to Britain. The incident occurred late on August 27 and into the early hours of August 28, as the small vessel carrying more than 110 people attempted to cross the English Channel from Grand-Fort-Philippe, near Calais.

French coastguard and rescue teams intervened overnight after detecting the boat’s departure. They rescued 73 migrants, including a 34-year-old Afghan man who was reportedly suffering from cardiac arrest. He was airlifted to a hospital in France, where he later died. Authorities indicated the man may have experienced a fatal heart attack. Among those rescued were also individuals with injuries, notably a man with stab wounds and two women with burns.

The remaining 45 migrants refused assistance and continued the journey, eventually being intercepted by a British rescue vessel near Dover. They were taken to a Border Security Command facility for processing. Images from the site showed men, women, and children undergoing identity verification and health screening.

French officials noted that the 73 migrants who were initially taken ashore were returned to France. A spokesman for the France Maritime Prefecture confirmed the sequence of events, stating that the rescue vessel Ridens had responded to a distress call early on August 28, providing aid to those aboard and identifying the migrant suffering cardiac arrest.

This incident follows a recent investigation into a fatality involving a migrant discovered on a beach near Calais last month. French police have been probing the circumstances surrounding that death, including the possibility that the individuals responsible might have traveled to the UK onboard a similar small boat.

Authorities from both countries continue to monitor migrant crossings in the Channel amid concerns over safety, exploitation, and the risks inherent in these journeys. The investigations aim to clarify the circumstances leading to the death and injuries while ensuring appropriate humanitarian and legal responses.