London [UK], December 30: At least three people have died attempting to cross the Channel in small boats, French authorities have confirmed.
A large-scale rescue operation off the coast of Sangatte, near Calais, began early on Sunday after reports around 50 people had struggled to board a boat.
The French official department responsible for the Channel and the North Sea confirmed three people had died and 45 others had been rescued, with four being taken to hospital with hypothermia.
The deaths, which occurred in French waters, are the first in the Channel since October and bring the total number of people who have died attempting the crossing this year to at least 53.
A UK government spokesperson said: "We can confirm there has been an incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters. French authorities are leading the response and investigation. We will not be commenting further at this stage." The incident follows four days of crossings that saw a total of 1,485 people make the journey. (PA Media/dpa)
Source: Qatar Tribune
