One dead and two missing after Channel Crossing rescue

A boat carrying around 50 migrants got into difficulties off the French coast and had to be rescued in the English Channel. 

Passengers told rescuers that three people had gone overboard. A woman has died and two people remain missing. 

The woman was recovered from the water but was not able to be saved, and two others could not be found, they are presumed dead. 

Two French naval vessels and a helicopter were deployed.

The other passengers on board were taken to safety. 

A spokesperson for the UK government confirmed they had been notified about the incident “involving a small boat in French waters”.

“French authorities are leading the response and investigation. We will not be commenting further at this stage”, they said.

Overall, the number of attempted crossings last year fell by a third compared with 2022, but nearly 30,000 migrants still reached the UK coast.

Home Office figures show that more than 2,000 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year.