Partial collapse of an inflatable migrant boat resulting in the loss of 1 life on 9 September 2025
Location: English Channel.
Accident Investigation Report 21/2026
Read our marine accident investigation report, which includes what happened, subsequent actions taken and recommendations.
Summary
On 9 September 2025, an inflatable migrant boat partially collapsed during a rescue operation by a Border Force vessel in the English Channel, resulting in one fatality. As the Border Force vessel approached, a sudden shift in the occupants on board the migrant boat caused one side to collapse, resulting in significant flooding and panic. Multiple persons entered the water, and the casualty was trampled into the bottom of the boat, causing her to drown. Once the casualty had been identified, Border Force vessel’s crew were unable to recover her until specialist search and rescue assets arrived on scene.
Safety issues
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The boat was a rudimentary craft produced outside recognised safety standards and was wholly unsuitable for crossing the English Channel. Its poor construction, overcrowding, low freeboard and deteriorated condition made it vulnerable to flooding and collapse.
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The casualty was not identified promptly because the crew were managing a mass rescue from a rapidly deteriorating boat. Her position in the flooded boat, partial submersion and lack of conspicuity reduced the likelihood of early detection.
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The crew of the attending Border Force vessel could not safely recover an unresponsive casualty from within the collapsed boat using the training, procedures and equipment available to them. Recovery therefore depended on the arrival of dedicated search and rescue assets.
Recommendations
Border Security Command is recommended to:
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Review its training and operational procedures to improve the early identification of inflatable boat occupants who may be in difficulty, unresponsive, partially submerged or otherwise less visible during rescue operations. This is in order to enable a timely response to people in distress, to address the risk of delayed rescue and loss of life.
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To develop, with relevant partner organisations, procedures, training and equipment to enable the safe recovery of an unresponsive casualty from a partially or fully collapsed inflatable boat. This is to include a risk-based framework as to when recovery can be attempted without exposing responders to unacceptable risk. This is in order to increase the likelihood of successful casualty rescue in scenarios where the boat is compromised, to address the risk of fatalities resulting from delays to rescue.