Two people are missing after fishing boat sank in the Channel

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JADA BAS, REPORTER Published: 23:20 BST, 30 August 2026 | Updated: 02:43 BST, 31 August 2026

Two people are missing from a French fishing vessel that sank in the English Channel.The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on Sunday night described the crew members as 'unaccounted for', and said the search for them has been 'suspended pending further information'.An 'intensive search' south-west of Eddystone Lighthouse and just off of Plymouth has been under way since a distress call was made from the troubled boat on Saturday evening.The French authorities said the stricken fishing vessel is called The Maranello, and it had contacted another trawler – The Stradale – to say it had a problem with its fishing gear.More than 15 vessels were involved in the search operation, working alongside aircraft. Other small boats nearby, primarily French fishing vessels, were also captured on maritime tracking apps heading to the scene to help. The Stradale managed to rescue three of the five crew members on Saturday before the Maranello sank, the French naval prefecture for the Atlantic added.One of the rescued sailors was evacuated by helicopter and is being treated at Truro Hospital, while the others were taken to Plymouth for medical attention.The rescued crew members are now travelling back to France. Two people are missing from a French fishing vessel that sunk in the English ChannelEarlier, an MCA spokesman said: 'HM Coastguard maintained the intensive search during the night and it is continuing today with multiple assets sent to help with the search.'Three people were rescued last evening from the French-registered fishing vessel which had made the call for help.'They were taken to hospital for further care.'The MCA also confirmed that 'the vessel has sunk'.A coastguard rescue helicopter, a fixed-wing aircraft plus RNLI lifeboats from Falmouth and Plymouth were among the vessels scrambled to the scene.Local vessels have also been helping with the British-led search-and-rescue operation.The MCA was alerted by a report about the vessel just after 6pm on Saturday. French patrol vessel FS Flamant was also deployed from HMNB Devonport, according to local news reports, while a further aircraft was deployed from Humberside Airport to assist.Just after 9pm, the Newquay-based R924 Coastguard helicopter was reported to have returned to Newquay Airport to refuel.It then rejoined the search and rescue operation, before stopping to return to Newquay to refuel at around 11.45pm.A third RNLI all-weather lifeboat from Salcombe also joined the emergency response team in the early hours of Sunday, just before 2am.