Two people have died and 58 people had to be rescued after a boat crossing the Channel got into difficulties.

At around 1.30pm today (Wednesday) the French authorities were alerted that a boat of asylum-seekers had set sail and was in serious difficulty less than 1km from the coast.

Several people fell into the water and it was reported that some appeared lifeless.

A helicopter and boats, including a team from Dungeness RNLI, were called and by 2.40pm most of the people in difficulty had been rescued.

However, it was indicated that two people who appeared lifeless were no longer within sight.

The search continued for them and, after airlifting a woman to safety, the helicopter located the two missing people and confirmed that they were unresponsive.

They were recovered from the water but could not be resuscitated.

An investigation has been opened by the French public prosecutor's office.

Photographs of the scene showed groups of people being brought in to Dungeness, Kent, by an RNLI lifeboat.

One person was pictured being taken away from the shore on a stretcher.

An RNLI spokesman said “an RNLI lifeboat was tasked this afternoon and the rescue is ongoing”.

A spokesman for the Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea said: “We warn anyone who plans to cross the Channel about the risks involved.

“This maritime sector is one of the busiest areas in the world, with more than 400 commercial ships passing through it per day and the weather conditions are often difficult, it is therefore a particularly dangerous sector.”

As of mid-November, 27,284 people had crossed the English Channel in 2023.

Last December, four people lost their lives when a boat capsized during the journey from France.

Ibrahima Bah, 19, who stands accused of their manslaughter, is set to go on trial in January.

Just a few days ago we reported how police had jailed a small boats people smuggler who had facilitated trips for Albanians across the treacherous Channel.

Dramatic footage showed the moment her home was stormed by police.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “Earlier today, there was an emergency response to a number of people in distress in the Channel inside French waters. Sadly, French authorities confirmed that two lives have been lost.

“These deaths are devastating and our thoughts are with the victims’ family and friends at this time.

“This is a tragic reminder of the extreme dangers of this evil trade and of how vital it is that we stop the boats.”

Steve Valdez-Symonds, Amnesty International UK’s refugee and migrant rights director, said: “We are heartbroken by this loss of life and our immediate thoughts are with the family and friends who have lost their loved ones.

“The new Home Secretary must finally be the one to face up to reality.

“People will continue to attempt dangerous Channel crossings while they are without safe access to fair and efficient asylum procedures on each side of the water – including safe routes to the UK for people whose family and other connections are here.

“We urge ministers to radically change their focus – rather than trying to avoid all responsibility for asylum, the UK must accept its part in providing safety and encourage other countries to do the same.”