Several people are feared to have died in an attempt to cross the Channel near the town of Wimereux, south of Calais, according to reports.
The French coastguard confirmed to reporters that there was a failed attempt to cross the Channel and said police were operating at a beach following the incident on Tuesday morning.
A spokesperson told Reuters she could not say how many people were involved but added there were several “lifeless bodies”.
According to the newspaper La Voix du Nord, at least five people had died and helicopters and rescue boats were mobilised for ongoing searches.
The incident comes the morning after Rishi Sunak’s UK government passed legislation to allow it to deport asylum seekers who arrive in the UK on small boats to Rwanda.
More details soon …