A police operation is under way after reports at least five migrants have died during an attempt to cross the Channel.

The French coastguard confirmed there was a failed attempt to cross the Channel and police were operating at a beach following the incident on Tuesday morning.

The spokesperson said she could not say how many people were involved but added there were several “lifeless bodies”.

French newspaper La Voix Du Nord reported at least five migrants have died.

Emergency services rescued the father of a 4-year-old girl, who was “in tears on the beach”, the paper said.

It comes hours after the UK’s government’s controversial Rwanda bill – intended to deter migrants from crossing the Channel in small boats – was passed.

Sky’s Europe correspondent, Adam Parsons, in Dunkirk, said at least four vessels were working off the coast of Wimereux as well as helicopters and there were “reports of survivors”.

Sea conditions could not be blamed, he said, as they were “perfect”.

He said: “If you were trying to cross the Channel in a small boat, this is the day you would do it, so if you can’t make it on a day like this, it shows how dangerous it is.”

The Channel between France and Britain is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and currents are strong, making the crossing on small boats dangerous.

People smugglers typically overload rickety dinghies, leaving them barely afloat and at risk of being lashed by the waves as they try to reach British shores.

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