At least one person died and about 50 were rescued after a boat trying to cross the Channel from France capsized early on Saturday, French authorities have said.
Franck Dhersin, the mayor of Téteghem near Dunkirk, said a vast rescue operation was launched at about 6am (5am BST) as dozens of boats tried to make the crossing at the same time.
“Near Sangatte they unfortunately found dead people,” he said.
The Channel between France and Britain is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and currents are strong.
More details soon …