Migrants die overnight while attempting to cross English Channel as asylum death toll rises

Multiple migrants have died while attempting to cross the English Channel, French authorities have confirmed.

At least eight people are understood to have died overnight while attempting to make the treacherous journey to Britain.

Jacques Billant, prefect of the Pas-de-Calais region, said: “Several migrants lost their lives again in the town of Ambleteuse while trying to reach Great Britain as part of a sea crossing of the Channel.”

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.”

It comes after French authorities rescued more than 200 people of coast of Calais over a 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday night.

More than 21,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far this year. Only 2022 has seen more people making the journey by this point in the calendar year.

So far more than 30 people have died attempting to reach the coast of Britain in 2024.

Earlier this month at least 12 people died when a boat loaded with dozens of migrants got into difficulty.

A pregnant woman and six children were among those killed in the incident on September 3, with up to 65 people rescued off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez.

More to follow…