A FRAIL dinghy containing 40 migrants capsized while trying to cross the English Channel from France, killing 27 after encountering a passing containership, reported Dunkirk's Voix du Nord.
Officials in France said the vessel was 'very frail' before it got into trouble as its passengers tried to cross the English Channel to the UK.
Five women and a girl were said to be among the dead in what has been called the deadliest incident of its kind, reported London's Daily Mail.
The Dunkirk prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for 'assistance with entry to illegal residence in an organised group' and 'aggravated manslaughter'.
According to fishermen, more migrants left France's northern shores than usual to take advantage of calm sea conditions, though the water was bitterly cold.
SeaNews Turkey
Officials in France said the vessel was 'very frail' before it got into trouble as its passengers tried to cross the English Channel to the UK.
Five women and a girl were said to be among the dead in what has been called the deadliest incident of its kind, reported London's Daily Mail.
The Dunkirk prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for 'assistance with entry to illegal residence in an organised group' and 'aggravated manslaughter'.
According to fishermen, more migrants left France's northern shores than usual to take advantage of calm sea conditions, though the water was bitterly cold.
SeaNews Turkey
