At least 12 migrants died on Tuesday after their boat capsized on its way across the Channel to Britain, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said, adding that rescue operations were under way to find two people still missing.
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Tackling illegal immigration has been a priority for both the British and French governments. More than 2,000 people have arrived in Britain on small boats over the past seven days, according to UK government figures.
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged to work closer together to dismantle migrant smuggling routes.
A local French official told reporters that the victims were mainly from Africa, with many from Eritrea. Darmanin added that some children were among the victims.
“Women and men are dying as a result of these human traffickers who are real criminals,” Darmanin told reporters.