Simon Jones
Reporting from Dover

From the White Cliffs of Dover today, you can clearly see the French coast.

Visibility in the Channel is good, but the sea is choppy - and that’s why it’s surprising that several boats set off from beaches in northern France in the early hours.

It’s dangerous enough crossing the world’s busiest shipping lane in overcrowded dinghies at the best of times, but conditions this morning were challenging.

Nevertheless, around 200 migrants did manage to make it to UK waters and were brought to Dover by the Border Force and lifeboat. But for others, the journey has ended in tragedy.

One charity supporting refugees based in Dover reacted to the news sadly and succinctly: "Not again"

Image source, PA Media

The French coastguard says they were first made aware that a boat was sinking late on Tuesday morning off the coast of Cap Gris-Nez, south-west of Calais.

The first boat at the scene was a standby rescue vessel that was nearby.

Shortly afterwards, several other ships were deployed - including two fishing boats, a French Navy boat and boats from a French lifeboat charity.

Helicopters were also scrambled, including a Navy helicopter.

The coastguard says 12 people died, and 53 people were rescued. Many of the survivors need emergency medical care and a treatment centre was set up at Boulogne-sur-Mer.

The coastguard added that the weather in the Channel is often difficult - and is dangerous even when the sea seems calm.

Hugh Schofield
Paris correspondent

It’s now officially confirmed that at least 12 people died in the small boat wreck in the English Channel this morning.

The French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin, who is on his way to the rescue centre in Boulogne-sur-Mer, says that two more people are missing, and there are several people needing hospital treatment.

The French news agency AFP is quoting an unnamed source as saying that the death toll stands at 13, including three minors.

It is the worst casualty toll in the Channel since the start of the year.

It brings to nearly 40 the number of migrants who have died trying to cross to England in 2024. French officials blame the rising death toll on unscrupulous traffickers cramming too many people on unseaworthy craft.

We've just had another update from the French coastguard, which says their provisional toll is that 53 people have been rescued from the incident earlier today.

It says 65 people have been recovered, including the 12 people who died.

In a statement, the coastguard says several of the 53 survivors required urgent medical attention and a medical post has been set up to care for them at Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Search operations are still ongoing, it adds.

Another tragedy, as more than 20,000 cross this yearpublished at 14:56 British Summer Time 3 September

14:56 BST 3 September

Simon Jones
BBC reporter

This is the latest tragedy in the Channel.

People desperately trying to get from northern France over to the UK, on boats which are overloaded and badly constructed.

Before today, 25 people had lost their lives attempting the journey so far this year. That’s a big rise on the figure that we saw last year.

This appears to be another major incident, and another sign of the risks people are taking in the world’s busiest shipping lane, in getting on these boats to try to reach the UK.

So far this year more than 20,000 people have made the crossing. That's putting pressure on the new government, who say they are determined to "get a grip" on the issue.

We've just had some photos from news agency AFP, showing the scene in Boulogne-sur-Mer where emergency services are responding to the incident in the Channel.

A medical area has been set up in the port, the coastguard said earlier.

Image source, AFP

Image source, AFP

At least 12 people have died after a boat capsized in the English Channel this morning, French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin says.

"Terrible shipwreck in Pas-de-Calais, off Wimereux. The provisional toll stands at 12 dead, two missing and several injured," Darmanin writes on X.

He adds that emergency services are working to find those still missing and take care of the victims.

At least 10 people have died off the coast of northern France after a boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized this morning, according to authorities cited by French media.

Both AFP and La Voix du Nord newspaper report 10 deaths. The French coastguard says it will release information on the search and rescue operation soon.

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin is expected to arrive to the region in the next few hours.

The Nord-Pas-de-Calais prefect - a region's state representative - is also on his way, according to local media.

We can now bring you pictures of groups of people, thought to be migrants, arriving in Dover from the English Channel earlier today.

It's not yet clear whether the groups have been rescued from the same boat that capsized off the coast of France.

Image source, PA Media

Image source, PA Media

At least five people have died after a boat carrying migrants capsized in the Channel, according to French authorities.

Reports say the number could be higher, with the French coastguard earlier saying at least ten people were in a critical condition.

We're still trying to get clarity on the number of casualties and will bring you those details as we get them.

We've just received a statement from the French coastguard, which says more than 50 people are being rescued during its major operation in the English Channel.

Many of these people require emergency medical treatment, it adds.

The statement says everyone on the boat entered the water in the Channel after it got into difficulty off Cap Gris-Nez this morning. It's not yet clear how many people were on the boat at the time.

A sea and air operation is continuing, it says, and that it will release more information soon.

A huge search and rescue operation is taking place in the English Channel after a boat carrying dozens of migrants capsized off the coast of Le Portel in northern France.

A number of people are believed to be in a critical condition, according to a French coastguard spokesperson quoted by Reuters news agency.

Emergency services have been deployed in large numbers since 11:30 local time (09:30 GMT), according to local media.

We're working to find out more details, so stay with us for live updates.