Two migrants dead after boat sinks in Channel while attempting overnight crossing

Two migrants have died after their boat sank off the French coast overnight, while hundreds of others attempt to reach the UK this morning.

A huge rescue operation was launched in the early hours, after a migrant dinghy carrying 65 people got into difficulties off Hardelot beach, south of Boulogne.

French authorities have confirmed two female migrants died in the incident involving a so-called taxi boat, as dozens of people tried to scramble on board.

Authorities say a second migrant boat nearby continued on its journey to the UK, as the incident unfolded around 3am.

So far today, GB News can confirm at least 200 migrants are on boats heading to UK waters.

More than 100 have already made it to the 12-mile mark and been picked up by Border Force vessels.

It follows a surge in small boat arrivals on Saturday.

GB News counted more than 360 illegal migrants as they arrived at the Border Force processing centre in Dover harbour.

This morning's migrant boat sinking comes as French police confirm another tragedy further north in Calais, this time linked to growing levels of violence.

An Iraqi migrant died after being stabbed in the French port yesterday.

He died in hospital this morning, despite the efforts of medics to save him.

He was the second migrant stabbed in Calais in just over a week.

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Authorities in northern France are struggling to cope with a huge surge in migrant violence, as rival groups regularly face off against each other.

Three migrants were shot and injured in another serious incident near Dunkirk last Wednesday.

French authorities say their police officers are also facing growing levels of violence as they attempt to disrupt migrant activity.

A new deal signed by the Home Secretary to provide the French with a further £662million will help fund a specialist team of public order officers to respond more robustly to incidents of migrant violence.