Two migrants have died trying to cross the English Channel.
The “tragic incident” happened today and involved a small boat in French waters, a UK government spokesperson said.
About 50 migrants were reportedly rescued from the same small boat.
It is understood those who were rescued were returned to France.
The government spokesperson told Sky News: “We can confirm there has been a tragic incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters which has resulted in the loss of two lives.
“This latest tragedy underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings, and we continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people. Our thoughts are with those affected.”
France is understood to be leading an investigation into the deaths.
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Small boat crossings in 2024 pass 15,000
Last month, a person was found dead near Calais after a small boat attempted to cross the Channel from France to the UK, according to French authorities.
Two people were also reported to have died in separate crossings in July.
One was in a boat with another 85 people who “refused to be helped” when patrol boat PSP Cormoran spotted the vessel before disaster struck, French authorities said at the time.
The other migrant died when the boat they were on, which was carrying another 71 people, deflated in the Channel.
According to The Migration Observatory, 12,646 small boat arrivals were detected in the first half of 2024 – up 16% on the first half of 2023.
Source Agencies
