At least three people have died attempting to cross the Channel in small boats. French authorities have mounted a rescue operation off Sangatte, near Calais, following an incident early on Sunday.
The deaths, which occurred in French waters, are the first in the Channel since October and bring the total number of people who have died attempting the crossing this year to at least 52. A further update said four people had been taken to hospital.
At least 45 people have been rescued, the French Prefet Maritime said. In a statement, the maritime authority said a boat carrying passengers encountered difficulties at about 6am on Sunday.
Rescue ships were launched and 45 people were assisted by emergency services off the coast of Sangatte. Three people were recovered by helicopter from the water and they were taken to a nearby naval base. However, they were later declared dead by medical staff at the base.
A search for other survivors is ongoing. An investigation into the incident has been opened by local authorities.
A UK Government spokesperson said: "We can confirm there has been an incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters. French authorities are leading the response and investigation. We will not be commenting further at this stage."
The deaths follow four days of crossings that saw a total of 1,485 people make the journey - the busiest Christmas period since records began in 2018. Figures published on Sunday showed 322 people crossed the Channel in six boats on Saturday.
Some 36,525 people have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel in small boats so far this year, up 24% on 2023 but down 20% on the record year of 2022. Sir Keir Starmer vowed to cut small boat crossings by "smashing the gangs" responsible for them, including through greater co-operation with international law enforcement and establishing a beefed-up border security command in the UK. Since the election in July, 22,951 people have made the journey, up 27% on the same period last year, but down 30% on 2022.
