Tragedy as two die after migrant boat with 50 people onboard sinks in the English Channel
TWO people have died after a migrant boat "with 50 on board" sank in the Channel.
The tragedy unfolded this morning off the coast of Sangatte, close to Calais, when around 50 migrants fell into the water shortly after 8am.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics to revive two unconscious people, they were pronounced dead in Calais.
The rescue operation was sparked after a life jacket was spotted in the water.
French maritime prefecture authorities for the Channel and the North Sea confirmed at least 46 people have been rescued so far.
The search for others is still ongoing in the water.
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Dover-Calais cross Channel services have been experiencing delays of up to two hours due to the ongoing rescue operation in Calais Port.
A French naval rescue helicopter and two ships have been called in as part of the mission.
British authorities also appear to be helping in the ongoing operations, with an RNLI lifeboat and Border Force vessel Defender in the Channel.
Management at the Port of Calais told French Media: "Cross-Channel traffic is currently interrupted due to operations to rescue people who have fallen into the water in the channel."
The public prosecutor's office in nearby Boulogne-sur-Mer has launched a probe into the incident.
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