Child, 10, and two women die in suspected crushing incident during Channel crossing attempt

A 10-year-old child and two women in their 30s died after they were likely crushed in a dinghy attempting to cross the Channel, according to the supplied report.

French authorities said 105 people aboard the “precarious” migrant dinghy were rescued after calling for assistance at sea. A medical team was flown to the rescue boat, but the child and the two women could not be saved.

The survivors were taken to the port of Calais, where about nine other people received non-critical medical attention. The dinghy had left Bleriot Plage, near Calais, on Monday morning.

Francois-Xavier Lauch, prefect of Pas-de-Calais, said there had apparently been no drowning and that the deaths were likely caused by crushing. A judicial investigation has been opened to establish the precise circumstances.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesperson said the deaths were a reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people for profit, adding that efforts would continue to prevent such journeys.

The report said 526 migrants arrived in seven boats on Sunday, bringing the total number to 19,135 so far this year, according to Home Office figures. That was 42% below the comparable figure last year of 32,188 and 24% below the figure at the same point in 2024 of 25,165.

More than 700 people arrived in the UK on Wednesday, the highest single-day figure so far this year. The report also said there had been two uncontrolled landings the previous week. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered an urgent review by the Border Security Command.