Several migrants including child die in Channel crossing attempt

Several migrants, including a child, have died while attempting to cross the English Channel, according to the French authorities.

Interior minister Bruno Retailleau said the child was “trampled to death in a boat”, saying it was a “terrible tragedy” and people smugglers “have the blood of these people on their hands”.

According to local newspaper La Voix du Nord, at least four migrants died – including a young child – in two separate incidents.

A local official is due to give a press conference in Calais later.

The AFP news agency reported that a migrant boat heading towards Britain called for assistance on Saturday morning and rescuers picked up 14 people on board, including the child.

An injured migrant on the boat was airlifted to a hospital in Boulogne, France, and the remaining passengers on the boat continued their journey, it reported.

Officials said the child was found in the boat.

Olivier Barbarin, mayor of the northern French coastal town of Le Portel, said the child was about four years old, and the Boulogne-sur-Mer public prosecutor’s office said they were “very young”. according to AFP.