Several migrants have drowned while trying to get to the UK across the Channel in an inflatable dinghy, a police source has told Reuters.

A police source told the news agency: “A search and rescue operation is under way off the coast of Calais.

“We think several people have died as their vessel sank.”

La Voix du Nord, quoting a source, reported that at least five migrants had died during the crossing attempt on Wednesday.

The newspaper said that shortly before 2pm a fisherman alerted authorities that around a dozen people were in the water off the coast of Calais.

Several people had been recovered, of which five had died and five were unconscious, it reported.

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