A baby has died after a boat carrying migrants ran into difficulties in the Channel, French authorities have said.

A total of 65 people were rescued by French search and rescue teams after a migrant boat encountered trouble off the coast of Wissant in northern France.

At least 52 people have died so far this year attempting to cross the Channel in dangerously overloaded boats.

The overcrowded vessel was discovered with many people on board, while others had already fallen into the water.

Four rescue ships and a helicopter were dispatched to the scene, according to the maritime prefect of the Channel and the North Sea.

During the operation, an unconscious baby was pulled from the water and transferred to the Abeille Normandie, a rescue tug chartered by the French Navy.

The baby was later pronounced dead by a doctor.

The 65 rescued migrants, along with the baby who died, were taken to the port in Boulogne-sur-Mer.