Three migrants died on Sunday in an attempt to cross the English Channel from France to Britain, a local mayor told journalists.
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The deaths take this year’s casualty toll from failed clandestine crossings to a confirmed 76.
The boat that was to take the migrants on Sunday ran into trouble near Bleriot-Plage, a public beach in Sangatte close to the French Channel port of Calais, at around 6:00am, an emergency services source said.
Several people fell into the water trying to board the overcrowded vessel, French maritime services said.
Around 50 people were given emergency help on the beach by government services or NGOs, with many in a state of hypothermia.
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Some were taken to Sangatte’s nautical base for treatment.