A small boat carrying 57 migrants across the , including four women and a toddler, sank off the coast of Calais, hospitalising one.
The unconscious victim was airlifted to the Boulogne-sur-Mer hospital on Sunday.
The maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea said: “The rescue system deployed to the scene of the shipwreck is thus proceeding with the rescue and recovery of the 57 occupants of the boat.”
A source told French outlet that a regional operational surveillance and rescue centre sent out a ship to engange with the migrant boat as it was aware of its departure.
The Riden intercepted the boat with the help of an intervention, assistance and rescue tug (RIAS).
-A migrant boat carrying 57 people has sunk in the English Channel (Image: GETTY)
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The boat was carrying 57 migrants. (Image: Getty)
Three of the people onboard – with one unconscious and two experiencing hypothermia.
A Prémar press release added: “The other survivors were dropped off in Calais by the Ridens and taken care of by the rescue services on land at around 9.45 am.”
Police and firefighters were also dispatched to the scene after medical personnel were called.
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The same day, another boat was sent from Le Portel, carrying 38 people, which ended up needing assitance.
They were rescued at Boulogne-sur-Mer and were taken care of early this morning.
The press release added: “The morning of Sunday, February 9 was marked by several engagements by the Gris-Nez Cross of the means of the human life-saving system in the Pas-de-Calais Strait, following numerous crossing attempts reported in the sector.”