A major search and rescue is underway in the English Channel, with reports that at least three bodies have been pulled from the water.
GB News understands UK and French authorities are searching for more victims, with reports a fourth body has been spotted floating in the sea, as bad weather sweeps back into the Channel.
It comes as people smugglers took advantage of a small weather window to push out multiple migrant boats from French shores.
GB News can reveal that at least six small boats have made it into UK waters today, and more than 300 migrants have been taken to the Border Force processing centre at Dover harbour.
More than 300 migrants have been taken to the Border Force processing centre at Dover harbourGB NewsIf confirmed, that figure would amount to the biggest single-day arrival of small boat migrants in the month of February, since the crisis began in 2018.
The previous figure was surpassed just last weekend, when 290 migrants made the crossing in five small boats on Sunday.
The GB News team in Kent filmed exclusive images this afternoon as the Dungeness lifeboat battled through strongs winds and waves to bring a group of almost forty migrants to Dover.
French authorities confirmed that three migrants died after falling into the Channel in French waters this afternoon.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
A fourth body has reportedly been spotted floating in the sea
GB News
All three were pronounced dead at the scene north of Boulogne.
Patrick Leleu, deputy prosecutor at the Judicial court of Boulogne-sur-Mer, said: "I can confirm the death of three migrants who fell into the water this afternoon off the coast of Cap Gris Nez. The investigation is ongoing."
Multiple Border Force and Coastguard vessels are involved in another major rescue operation after a migrant boat was spotted upturned near the Varne lightship.
A Coastguard helicopter and plane are also involved in the search, after reports body was spotted floating face down in the water.
Passing shipping and cross-Channel ferries are being warned to keep an eye out for the possibility of people in the water.
It is unclear whether the unfolding search and rescue near the Varne lightship is linked to the earlier incident in French waters.
A UK Government spokesperson said: “We can confirm there has been an incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters.
“French authorities are leading the response and investigation. We will not be commenting further at this stage.”
