Two women and a child die attempting to cross English Channel

A 10-year-old child and two women have died attempting to cross the English Channel, according to the French authorities.

The incident saw 102 other people rescued from a dinghy just off the coast of northern France after the boat had left Bleriot Plage, near Calais, on Monday morning.

French authorities said the two women who died were aged in their 30s.

The maritime police in France said it received a distress call from an inflatable vessel which had run into trouble in calm seas.

A rescue ship and a French Navy helicopter were sent to the scene, officials said.

A medical team was sent to help the survivors, but the child and two women could not be saved.

The survivors were taken to the port of Calais where nine other people needed non-critical medical attention.

The deaths were likely to have been caused by crushing, due to so many people on the boat, and not drowning, said French maritime officials.

Authorities have opened an investigation into the incident.

Responding to reports, Andy Burnham's spokesman said it was a "stark reminder of the dangers posed by the criminal gangs".

The prime minister's official spokesperson said: "We're deeply saddened to hear about the deaths in France today.

"It is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people for profit, and we will continue to work relentlessly.

"It's the prime minister's promise to do more to prevent these perilous journeys from happening."

The number of people successfully attempting to cross the English Channel has fallen by more than 40%, compared with the same time last year.

Some 18,609 people have successfully made the journey so far this year, Home Office figures show.

This is down 42% on this time last year (32,188), and 26% below the figure at this stage in 2024 (25,165).

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More than 700 people arrived in the UK on Wednesday - the highest number for a single day so far this year.

Last week also saw two uncontrolled landings, where migrant boats arrived on UK shores without being intercepted by authorities.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has ordered an urgent review by the Border Security Command.

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