Two migrants have died while trying to cross the English Channel.
The “tragic incident” occurred today, involving a small boat in French waters, a UK government spokesman said.
Around 50 migrants have reportedly been rescued from the same small boat.
Those rescued are believed to have been returned to France.
“This latest tragedy highlights the terrible danger posed by small boat crossings and we continue to do all we can to prevent ruthless criminals from exploiting vulnerable people. Our thoughts are with those affected.
France is reportedly leading the investigation into the deaths.”
French authorities said a person was found dead near Calais last month after a small boat attempted to cross the Channel from France to the UK.
Two people were also allegedly killed in separate crossings in July.
One of them was on the boat with 85 others who “refused to accept rescue” when patrol ship PSP Cormorant spotted the boat before the disaster, French authorities said at the time.
Another migrant died when a boat carrying a further 71 people suffered a puncture in the English Channel.
According to the Migration Observatory, 12,646 small boat arrivals were recorded in the first half of 2024, a 16% increase on the first half of 2023.