France: 20 migrants including four children rescued in the Manche

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20 migrants including two women, two children and two infants who tried to reach England were rescued Thursday off the Pas-de-Calais, on a makeshift boat with engine failure, said the maritime prefecture.

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According to aid associations for migrants, attempts to cross the Channel to reach England have increased in recent weeks. Authorities identified 79 in April alone.

An increase which can be explained in particular by the particularly mild weather conditions in Calais , as confirmed by Yann Manzi, co-founder of the association Utopia 56. “  The calm sea and the sun, it helps in terms of attempts. We have noticed for a while that there are boat passages. It is clear that the English Channel, when there is no wind, no storm and the sea is calm, it is much easier. That's what makes it intensify. We see people trying to leave every night. They use trash bags and water bottles , which they put around children to make makeshift life jackets. It is quite alarming.  "

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