Three people died on Wednesday morning after an overloaded boat carrying migrants sank in the English Channel off the coast of Calais.
French maritime authorities said 45 people had been rescued and search and rescue operations were continuing.
The investigation was opened by the prosecutor of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Comes after The child died when the boat sank tried to cross the English Channel on Thursday evening.
Authorities said a search operation was launched after a member of the public spotted a life jacket at sea.
As a result of the search, approximately 48 people were found, and two unconscious people were transferred to the rescue ship and given first aid.
They were later confirmed dead in Calais.
A third body was found on the ferry and a fourth person was injured, according to a later update from the French Coast Guard.
Two boats and a helicopter were used in the rescue operation, and a medical team was sent to Calais.
Authorities added that those rescued are being cared for by land rescue services and border police, and the search for others who may remain missing at sea continues.
According to UN agencies, 2024 has already become the deadliest year for migrants crossing the English Channel.
On September 3 among the 12 people who died were six children and a pregnant woman after a boat carrying dozens of people sank off the coast of France.
A month later Four people died, including a two-year-old boy after apparently being “trampled to death” on two separate boats.
The latest sinking brings the total number of deaths caused by migrants trying to cross the English Channel this year to at least 56.
On October 18, 647 migrants crossed the English Channel on 10 small boats, bringing the total number of arrivals in 2024 to 28,204.
This figure is almost 8% higher than at the same point last year, but 25% lower than the peak year of 2022.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he will take tougher measures to “crash” gangs that smuggle people into the UK.
Leave a Reply