Two dead after migrant boat ‘with 50 on board’ sinks in the English Channel | World news

Two people have died after a migrant boat sank in the English Channel, French maritime authorities said.

The incident happened this morning off the coast of Sangatte, near Calais.

Around 50 migrants were reported to have fallen into the water shortly after 8am, around 2km offshore near Calais.

At least 46 people have been rescued, but French authorities continue to search for others still in the water.

The UK Border Force also confirmed that it “is actively involved in a search and rescue operation”.

The two victims received first aid after being rescued from the water, but were pronounced dead by doctors when taken to Calais.

The rescue operation was launched after a life jacket was spotted in the water.

The public prosecutor’s office in neighboring Boulogne-sur-Mer has launched an investigation into the incident.

Dover-Calais Canal cross services are currently affected with delays of up to 120 minutes due to the ongoing rescue operation. Ships are currently unable to enter or leave the port of Calais.

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This year has been the deadliest ever for Channel crossings, with more than 50 people killed so far. Many drowned, while others suffocated in the crush of so many people crammed into small, cramped boats.

Last week, a girl died when “slipped” from his father’s hand when the boat they were in capsized.

Home Office figures suggest that more than 26,000 people have arrived in the UK via the Channel crossing in 2024 so far.

This breaking news is being updated and more details will be published soon.

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