Two women die trying to cross Channel in small boat

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Two women have died while trying to cross the English Channel from France in a boat, French officials have said.

The boat, carrying 82 people, ran aground on a beach in northern France on Sunday morning.

The two women, aged about 20 and believed to be of Sundanese origin, were found dead inside the boat, according to Christophe Marx, secretary-general of the Pas-de-Calais prefecture.

Three other people suffered serious wounds and 14 people sustained moderate injuries, he added.

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An investigation has been launched by the Boulogne-sur-Mer prosecutor's office.

A Home Office spokesperson said it was "deeply saddened" by the deaths.

"Every death in the Channel is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people for profit," they added.

The Home Office has said it will continue "to work relentlessly" with French authorities and partners overseas "to prevent these perilous journeys".

In the latest channel crossings, 597 migrants in six small boats, arrived in the UK over the past seven days, according to the latest government figures.

In April, the UK and France signed a new £662m small boats deal.

It will see riot-trained police sent to beaches in France as part of the agreement in an effort to stop illegal migrants from crossing the Channel.

It also includes France deploying millions of pounds worth of drones, helicopters and a camera system to intercept people smugglers and illegal migrants.

Over the past three years, crossings have increased, with 41,472 people arriving in the UK by small boat in 2025.

A Home Office spokesperson said previously: "We have stopped over 42,000 illegal migrants attempting to cross the Channel since the election.

"We have removed or deported almost 60,000 people who were here illegally.

"But we are going further to remove the incentives that draw illegal migrants to this country and increase removals and deportations of those with no right to be here."

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