Several migrants die while trying to cross English Channel: French minister

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said several migrants, including a child, died while attempting to cross the English Channel from France to England.

In Short

• French minister blames smugglers over deadly crossings in English Channel
• 14 people were on boat, one person hospitalised after rescue
• Crossing attempts in overloaded boats in English Channel are frequent

Several people, including a child, died trying to cross the Channel from France to England, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said on Saturday.

Attempts to cross the Channel in small, overloaded boats are frequent despite strong currents in what is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

"Smugglers have the blood of these people on their hands and our government will step up the fight against these mafias that organise these deadly crossings," Retailleau said on X.

A total of 14 people were on the boat. One was flown by helicopter to a hospital after a search and rescue operation was conducted on Saturday morning, local maritime authorities said.

The incident was the latest in a series this year, including one last month in which 12 migrants died when their boat capsized in the Channel.