Four migrants die after trying to cross English Channel

Four migrants have died after trying to cross the English Channel - a day after one of the busiest days for crossings this year.

The French coastguard said it spotted a boat leaving the Dunkirk area around 6am and shortly after found three people unconscious onboard.

They took them to shore but all were later pronounced dead despite resuscitation attempts.

A fourth person is thought to have drowned in a separate incident near Boulogne-sur-Mer.

Wednesday was one of the busiest days this year for migrant crossings, with images showing people running to clamber on to packed boats.

Hundreds are believed to have arrived amid calm seas and fine weather - exact numbers will be confirmed later by the government.

The busiest day for arrivals to date in 2026 was 15 June, when 710 made the crossing.

More than 900 also made the journey in the five days following Andy Burnham starting as prime minister last week.

Speaking on Tuesday, Mr Burnham said Labour's plan to reduce the crossing was "working" but there was "more to do".

Numbers are down on last year: The Home Office says 13,376 migrants have arrived so far this year in small boats. That's 45% lower on this time last year and 19% lower than 2024.

The UK government did a deal with France in April in which it agreed to pay up to £660m - depending on results - to tackle the problem.

But critics accuse French authorities of still not doing enough to intercept the vessels on the beach or stop people jumping aboard.

Police say once the boats are seaborne they aren't allowed to do anything as it's too dangerous for those on board.

One permitted tactic appears to be slashing the boats before they are put in the water. However, often the smuggler launches in a quieter spot before picking up their passengers in another location.

The Channel is hazardous as it's one of the busiest waterways in the world and conditions can be dire in bad weather.

Smugglers cram people on vessels that are often unseaworthy and not everyone has a proper lifejacket.

A 16-year-old girl and a woman from Sudan also died in May while trying to reach the UK in a small boat.

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The government says tackling the gangs that profit from the trade is essential to cutting the numbers.

Nearly all migrants claim asylum, saying their lives are in danger in their home countries - giving examples such as limits on free speech, religion, and sexuality.

However, critics believe many claims are spurious and that most are in fact economic migrants.

(c) Sky News 2026: Four migrants die after trying to cross English Channel