French authorities rescued over a hundred migrants trying to cross the English Channel on Wednesday, Christmas day, taking advantage of improved weather at the end of what has been the deadliest year on record for Channel crossings.

French authorities said they rescued 107 migrants trying to cross the Channel from France to England on Wednesday. Over the course of Christmas Day, 12 rescue operations were staged along the coast of northern France, including of a boat experiencing engine trouble, France’s Channel and North Sea maritime prefecture said in a statement.

French authorities said they rescued 107 migrants trying to cross the Channel from France to England on Wednesday. Over the course of Christmas Day, 12 rescue operations were staged along the coast of northern France,

More than 450 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on Christmas Day, according to Home Office figures. Data updated on Thursday indicated that 451 migrants arrived on December 25 on 11 boats.

At least 73 migrants have died trying to cross the English Channel to Britain this year, according to French authorities, making 2024 the deadliest year on record for the crossings.