At least three migrants died on Sunday trying to cross the Channel from France, reports The Times.
Four people were taken to hospital and about 30 others were rescued by the French authorities.
The migrants were found in the water off Sangatte, on the northern French coast, but it was unclear if their boat had sunk or capsized, officials said.
French navy helicopters were continuing to fly along the coastline to try to recover survivors.
The latest deaths brought the number of those known to have died in the Channel this year to at least 76, making it the deadliest year on record for small boat crossings.
Migrants have continued to attempt crossings during the Christmas period, taking advantage of relatively calm seas despite foggy conditions. The deaths follow four days in which a total of 1,485 people made the journey — the busiest Christmas period since records began in 2018.