Six people confirmed dead after migrant boat sinks in English Channel

Six people having been confirmed dead after a boat sank in the English Channel. French authorities said 50 people were rescued from the boat, which was carrying migrants.

One death was initially reported earlier this morning, but a further five deaths have now been confirmed by France’s Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea. A major rescue operation has been taking place at the scene, off the northern coast of France.

In a statement following the tragedy, Home Secretary Suella Braverman said: “My thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tragic loss of life in the Channel today. I have spoken with our Border Force teams this morning who have been supporting the French authorities in response to this incident.”

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Ms Braverman was due to chair a meeting with Border Force officials regarding the incident this morning, Press Association understands. Five French ships, one helicopter and two British ships were involved in the rescue operation.

The RNLI said a lifeboat crew was sent to the Channel at around 4am this morning. A number of people were seen being brought off a lifeboat on stretchers in Dover, the Mirror reports.

Natalie Elphicke, Conservative MP for Dover, said the small boat incident reinforced the need for joint patrols in the Channel. She told the PA news agency: “Today’s tragedy underlines why we must stop the small boats to keep people safe and prevent loss of life in the Channel.

“These overcrowded and unseaworthy deathtraps should obviously be stopped by the French authorities from leaving the French coast in the first place. The time has come for joint patrols on the French coast and a