The migrants who disappeared in the Channel, and why the corpses were never identified

Migrants Who Disappeared in the Channel

In October last year, an inflatable dinghy carrying 60-70 migrants left the north-east French coast for England.

It took on water and sank shortly after leaving, with 48 people saved by French rescue services and an official toll of three deaths.

However, at least a dozen more people went missing, with 13 bodies found on French beaches and in the water.

One year on, nine of these bodies remain unidentified, despite cooperation from families of the disappeared.

Authors: Maïa Courtois, Maël Galisson and Simon Mauvieux

Author's summary: Migrants disappeared in the Channel, bodies remain unidentified.

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Mediapart Mediapart — 2025-10-26