Two women die in Channel crossing attempt from France to Britain

The deaths highlight UK and France’s struggle over migrant boats and rising anti-immigration politics

Migrants gather before trying to board an inflatable dinghy leaving the coast of northern France in an attempt to cross the English Channel to reach Britain, from the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, France, Sept 27, 2025. REUTERS/Abdul Saboor/File Photo

Two women died after a boat carrying about 80 migrants trying to cross to Britain from France capsized near Calais, the local French administration said on Sunday.

"We regret to say that we found two people, two women, who had died," said Christophe Marx, an official for the Pas-de-Calais administration, adding that authorities had rescued the others.

The deaths highlight the difficulties faced by Britain and France over tackling small boats transporting migrants illegally across the English Channel, while concerns over immigration numbers have driven up support for parties such as Reform UK and France's National Rally (RN) party.

Last month, Britain said it would pay France up to 660 million pounds ($895.8 million) under a three-year border security deal to try to clamp down on illegal migrant crossings of the Channel, with part of the funding contingent on results.