A child is among “several” migrants who have died while attempting to cross the English Channel, according to a French minister.

The country’s interior minister Bruno Retailleau said the child was “trampled to death” on a boat.

“Several people died trying to cross the Channel. A child was trampled to death in a boat,” he said in a post on the X social media platform.

“A terrible tragedy that must make us all aware of the tragedy that is unfolding.

“The people smugglers have the blood of these people on their hands and our government will intensify the fight against these mafias who are getting rich by organising these crossings of death.”

Local French newspaper La Voix Du Nord also reported three people had died off the coast of Calais, as well as one near Boulogne. They also said rescue operations are ongoing.

A total of 395 migrants arrived in the UK on seven boats having crossed the English Channel on Friday, according to UK authorities.

Some of those arriving were pictured wearing life jackets as they were brought to shore at Dover on a Border Force vessel.

Friday’s figures mean the UK has seen 25,639 migrant arrivals so far this year. By 4 October 2023, 25,330 migrants had arrived.

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