According to local authorities in France, the migrants were on board a small boat that sank off Calais. 38 people have been rescued.
The number of people attempting to reach the UK by sea has increased over the past three years. Last year, just over 41,000 migrants arrived in small boats. However, in the first months of 2026, the number fell by around a third compared with the same period last year.
According to the BBC, more difficult weather conditions may be behind the decrease.
