PEOPLE DIE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS THE ENGLISH CHANNEL FROM FRANCE.

Two women and two men have died in an attempt to cross the English Channel from France to reach the UK. The situation is still developing; it appears that further bodies have been sighted at sea. A further 38 people have been rescued, three of whom have been taken to hospital, including two children. "Every death in the Channel is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs who exploit vulnerable people for profit," a British government spokesperson stated. "We will continue to work tirelessly with the French and our partners abroad to prevent these dangerous journeys." The number of attempted Channel crossings is increasing due to the warmer season and the subsequent calmer waters. Unfortunately, too many migrants are still being caught by currents and are unable to overcome the difficulties. The rescue operation began around 7:30 AM on Thursday, following the incident off the coast of Saint-Etienne-au-Mont, south of Boulogne-sur-Mer in Pas-de-Calais. The boat carrying the migrants encountered difficulties during departure, and some individuals ended up in the water, where they were swept away by strong currents. The nationality of the four deceased remains unknown as rescue efforts continue.