(Radio France) French maritime authorities came to the aid of 47 migrants this weekend in separate incidents in the English Channel off the northern French coast. Those rescued had been trying to reach southern England in a number of makeshift vessels.
The alarm was raised on Saturday morning, when a group of migrants got into difficulties off the coast at Sangatte, near the port city of Calais. As their vessel began to sink, five people, including a pregnant woman, called the Regional Centre for Supervision and Rescue (CROSS) asking for urgent assistance.
The five were rescued and brought to the French port of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Another boat with 22 people on board was then spotted drifting in the English Channel, having suffered engine failure. The occupants were brought to Dunkirk.
