Two asylum seekers have died and dozens of others were rescued after a boat sank in the English Channel, the French coastguard said.

A rescue operation was launched this morning ( Wednesday) off the coast of Calais after a life jacket was spotted in the sea.

Some 48 people were recovered in the search, and first aid was given to two unconscious people brought on board a rescue ship.

They were later confirmed dead in Calais, the French maritime prefecture said.

Two boats and a helicopter were used in the rescue mission, alongside a medical team deployed to Calais.

Survivors were looked after by land rescue services while the search continues for anyone who may still be at sea, the authority added.

The Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation.

It was reported that all cross-Channel sailings at Calais were stopped during the rescue work. This affected all three operators on the Dover-Calais route, P&O Ferries, DFDS and Irish Ferries.

DFDS sailings to Dunkerque are not affected, and the firm has now confirmed sailings have resumed into Calais.

A spokesman for P&O Ferries told KentOnline today: “Due to ongoing port operations at the Port of Calais, we are expecting delays to continue throughout the day. Affected customers have been advised an updated, and we will continue to communicate directly with customers as services resume.”

So far this year, 47 asylum seekers deaths have been reported by the French coastguard, including a baby who died when a boat got into difficulty.

A total of 28,204 people crossing the Channel have arrived in the UK so far this year, according to Home Office figures.

The number of arrivals is 8% higher than the same point in 2023 (26,116) and 25% lower than in 2022 (37,603).