Body of young migrant found on French beach as crossings to UK rise

Shoes lying on the beach of Calais in northern France during a symbolic action to pay tribute to migrants who died attempting to cross the English Channel on September 20. Sameer Al-Doumy/Getty Images Paris AP —

French authorities announced the discovery Sunday of a body on a beach used as one of the launch points for migrants attempting the perilous sea crossing from northern France to the U.K on flimsy inflatable boats .

The prefecture of northern France’s Pas-de-Calais region said the body of a young man, “very likely” a migrant who had attempted the crossing overnight, was found Sunday morning on the long sandy beaches south of the port town of Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Attempted crossings and deaths have surged in recent days. The prefecture previously reported that two wome