Four people have drowned while trying to cross the Channel, the French coastguard has confirmed.

They lost their lives when their boat capsized during an attempt to reach the UK from the coast of Boulogne-Sur-Mer overnight.

A rescue mission – involving four ships and one helicopter – was launched after the group got into difficulty, and 63 others were saved.

French media BFM Liittoral reports that the national navy patrol boat was notified of the illegal boat at sea and subsequently intervened.

A fishing vessel picked up 14 of the people who got into trouble and a further four people were taken by a medical team but could not be saved, the maritime prefecture added.

The surviving group of people were returned to Boulogne and attended to by emergency services.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on X, formerly Twitter: “The further loss of life in the Channel this morning is truly awful.

“My thoughts are with all those affected.

“Criminal gangs are making vast profit from putting lives at risk.

“We are accelerating action with international partners to pursue & bring down dangerous smuggler gangs.”

Meanwhile, Labour MP for Deal and Dover Mike Tapp, added “it is a tragedy”.

He wrote on X: “In Dover and Deal, we are getting used to hearing of deaths in the channel. It’s a tragedy.

“Yvette Cooper is taking action to set up the new Border Security Command, that will take out the evil smuggling gangs who trade in human misery.”

An HM Coastguard spokesman said assistance was offered to the French coastguard today, adding: “An RNLI lifeboat from Dover and Border Force vessel were initially sent to provide support, but were not required to attend the scene.”

The reports come as five people including a child died trying to cross the English Channel from France to the UK on April 23.

There have now been at least 19 deaths in the Channel since the start of the year.

It comes after latest figures this week revealed more than 14,000 people have made the journey across the Channel to the UK so far this year.

Alex Fraser, UK director for refugee support & restoring family links at the British Red Cross said everyone at the charity was devastated to hear that four people had died today.

“Our thoughts are with them and their loved ones – who may not even know yet what has happened,” he said.

“Nobody risks their life travelling across the Channel in a small boat unless they feel they have no other choice.

“More safe routes are urgently needed to prevent people from taking dangerous journeys to reach the UK.”