- Three people, including two children, died after an attempted small boat crossing in the English Channel off Sangatte, Pas-de-Calais, late on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning.
- Regional prosecutor Laurent Touvet indicated the three fatalities were likely caused by being crushed at the bottom of the packed boat, which was carrying 38 people.
- In a separate incident, another person was pronounced dead on Tuesday after being airlifted back to shore off Kent following a Channel crossing attempt.
- French authorities have attributed these tragedies to smuggling networks, with the Calais prosecutor's office vowing to combat them.
- Although there is no official record, at least 23 people have died attempting to cross the English Channel this year, following 50 deaths recorded by the French coastguard last year.
IN FULL