Ten migrants in critical condition after boat capsizes in Channel

At least 10 migrants are in a critical condition after a boat carrying 100 people capsized in the English Channel, according to the French coastguard.

A major rescue operation was under way after the boat got into difficulty in rough seas off the coast of France.

Television channel France 3 quoted Olivier Barbarin, the mayor of Le Portel, as saying “around 10 people in cardio-respiratory arrest”.

French coastguard vessels Minck and Abeille Normandie were leading the search and rescue operation off the coast of Le Portel, a coastal area in the Pas-de-Calais region. Rescue helicopters were also despatched to the scene.

Mr Barbarin ordered the closure of the beach at the hoverport to allow helicopters to land. Police, firefighters and emergency services are on site.

There have been at least 25 deaths in the channel this year including a seven-year-old girl who was among five migrants who died while trying to make the crossing in April.

Twenty-seven people died in the single worst incident in November 2021 when their inflatable dinghy carrying 30 migrants capsized.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.