One dead, dozens rescued in latest Channel crossing attempt | Immigration and asylum

One person has died attempting to cross the Channel in an overcrowded rowing boat, while a number of small boats attempted the perilous journey last weekend.

Thirty-four others were rescued from what was described as a “migrant boat” off the northern French port of Calais after an appeal for help was made in the early hours of Sunday, French authorities said.

The latest incident follows the deaths of at least six people in three separate incidents in the Channel between July 12 and 19. Children were among a group of around 50 people who were taken aboard a UK Border Force ship to Dover on Saturday.

The last deceased was found unconscious during the rescue operation in the early morning of Sunday, French maritime authority Premar said.

The authority told AFP news agency the deaths were the result of what it described as “a new phenomenon in which people die at sea not from drowning, but from disease or oppression”.

They were pronounced dead after being taken to hospital in Boulogne-sur-Mer by a French navy helicopter.

At least 75 people were said to have been on board the ship. While some were taken away, others refused the help offered during the rescue and the ship was allowed to continue sailing, under the supervision of a French patrol boat.

“Given the risks of falling overboard or injuring people in the event of a forced intervention, it was decided to allow the other people on the boat to continue their journey,” Premar said in a statement.

In the week to Saturday, 342 people crossed the Channel in seven boats, according to figures from the Home Office. More than 12,000 people have made the crossing so far this year, according to preliminary figures released in mid-June.

The figure was 18% higher than the same period last year, when 10,472 people made the crossing.