At least two people die in Channel as migrant crossings continue

At least two people have died attempting to cross the Channel in small boats, French media have reported.

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.

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.