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Several migrants die while attempting to cross English Channel

Several people died overnight while attempting to cross the Channel from France to England, French authorities have said.

“Several migrants lost their lives,” the Pas-de-Calais prefecture told the AFP news agency, without specifying precisely how many people died.

The deaths occurred in the commune of Ambleteuse, according to French officials.

The incident comes after 12 people, including six children and a pregnant woman, died earlier this month when a boat carrying dozens of migrants sank off the French coast.

The incident on 3 September marked the deadliest loss of life in the Channel this year.

Migrants attempting to cross the English Channel to reach Britain get on an inflatable dinghy as the French police and gendarmes officers patrol on the beach of the Slack dunes in Wimereux, France, September 4, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
Migrants attempting to cross the English Channel to reach Britain get on an inflatable dinghy as the French police and gendarmes officers patrol on the beach of the Slack dunes in Wimereux, France, on 4 September (Photo: REUTERS/Benoit Tessier)

French authorities said they rescued around 200 people off the coast of Calais over a 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday night.

Officials also monitored 18 attempts to launch boats across the Channel on Saturday alone.

Regional prefect Jacques Billant is scheduled to hold a press conference at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST).

Eight boats carrying 412 migrants have arrived in the UK over the past seven days, with the majority (357) arriving on 7 September.

This is a breaking news story and is being updated.

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