PARIS (AP) – An Indian man, about 40, died Sunday morning in northern France when the inflated boat he and other migrants were on to cross the English Channel deflated, French officials said.

This year is proving to be the deadliest year for migrants attempting to cross in small boats since numbers began rising in 2018, according to the maritime authority that oversees French waters in the canal. The man’s death on Sunday brings the number to 56 so far this year.

At around 5:30 a.m. local time, a group of migrants launched their small boat off the town of Tardinghen, about 15 miles (25 kilometers) west of Calais.

In the statement, it was stated that the air of the boat, which “appeared to be in very bad condition”, deflated immediately after setting off. “The migrants… swam back to the beach, but not everyone had life jackets.”

Indian man had a heart attack. The statement stated that the police performed CPR on him on the beach but were unable to revive him. An investigation was opened.

This was just one of many attempts by migrants to cross the channel since the weather improved on Monday. Local authorities have made 57 attempts since then, 32 of which were stopped by law enforcement.

The French coast around Calais has long been a jumping-off point for people fleeing conflict and poverty around the world trying to reach Britain, often making dangerous and sometimes deadly sea journeys through one of the world’s busiest shipping channels.

Europe’s increasingly stringent asylum rules, growing xenophobia and hostile treatment of immigrants they push many immigrants north. While the UK government is also hostile, many immigrants have family or friends in the UK and the perception is that they will have more opportunities there.