iStockOne person has died and about 50 people have been rescued following an incident involving a small boat in the Channel on Saturday morning, French authorities have said.
Two British ships and several French vessels have been involved in a search and rescue operation, a statement from France’s Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea said.
Early on Saturday morning, information was received from a patrol boat that a migrant boat was sinking off Sangatte, the statement said.
Six people were recovered in a serious condition, one of whom was then taken by helicopter to Calais hospital and declared dead.
It is understood Home Secretary Suella Braverman will chair a meeting with Border Force officials later.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident in the Channel. HM Coastguard are working on a co-ordinated response and further information will be provided in due course.”
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution said a Dover-based volunteer lifeboat crew launched just before 4am to respond to the incident.
An investigation has also been opened by the Boulogne prosecutor’s office.
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