France Link

Five dead on migrant boat off French coast

A major search and rescue operation was launched as the French coastguard said there were "lifeless bodies" following the tragedy.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

Five migrants including a child have died during an attempt to cross the English Channel in a small boat, reports Sky News.

A seven-year-old girl, a woman and three men died in the incident off the coast of Wimereux in northern France, local official Jacques Billant said.

The French coastguard said there was a failed attempt to cross the Channel and there were several "lifeless bodies".

The tragedy came just hours after the UK government's controversial Rwanda bill - intended to deter migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats - was passed.

Some 112 people were on board the overcrowded boat, Mr Billant said.

A total of 47 people were rescued, with four taken to hospital, while more than 50 others chose to continue on their journey, the official added.

Read more of this report from Sky News.