Channel crossings: Migrant dies as boat sinks

French and Belgian helicopters joined the search

A migrant has died after a boat carrying about 40 people began to sink in the English Channel.

The person had earlier been pulled unconscious from the water and flown to hospital in Calais by helicopter.

French authorities said rescue operations continued off the coast of Dunkirk.

Clandestine channel threat commander Dan O'Mahoney said the death "underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings".

A Belgian air force helicopter earlier winched several men from the sea.

Others were pulled from the water by crews on nearby fishing boats.

Lisa Doyle of the Refugee Council said the "tragic loss of life is a sobering reminder that the odds are stacked against ordinary men, women and children, who are desperately struggling for safety and protection".

"We can do more to make the journey safer," she added.

Searches began at about 09:00 BST after a passing ship reported a dinghy carrying about 40 people had got into difficulty.

Another migrant was taken to hospital by helicopter on Wednesday

An unconscious person was rescued by a lifeboat from the cargo ship, before being transferred to a French naval vessel and then flown to hospital by helicopter.

It follows a similar rescue on Wednesday in which a migrant was taken to hospital in Dunkirk in a French navy helicopter. The migrant had been rescued from a dinghy carrying 29 people.

More than 10,700 people have reached the UK in small boats this year.

Mr O'Mahoney said: "Today someone sadly died in France following an incident in French waters during an attempt to cross the Channel.

"This loss of life is a tragedy and we are providing support to our French counterparts who are leading the response.

"This underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings and why we must work together with the French to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people."

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