At least eight UK-bound migrants drowned today in the latest small boat disaster in the English Channel.
The French emergency services received a Mayday from a dinghy that got into difficulty off the coast at Ambleteuse, near Calais, in the early hours of Sunday morning.
‘Several migrants lost their lives,’ said Jacques Billant, the Pas de Calais prefect, putting the provisional death toll at eight.
‘A zodiac craft carrying around 50 people ran aground,’ Mr Billant said, adding that the eight unidentified migrants were declared dead at the scene.
It comes as French authorities rescued some 200 people off the coast of Calais over a 24-hour period between Friday and Saturday night.
The disaster at Ambleteuse took place just after 1am and – within six hours – another group of migrants were setting off in exactly the same location.
Eight migrants have died after an English Channel crossing attempt ended in disaster. (File image of a migrant boat being escorted by French…