At least four migrants, including two children, drowned when their boat capsized in the Channel. Fifteen others have been saved. More crew is still being sought. It is not known how many people were on board.
French regional authorities report that the drowned children were 5 and 8 years old. According to local media, the people on board are Iranians.
The ship had left Dunkirk for the crossing to England. Five French ships sailed for the rescue operation and a Belgian helicopter was involved nearby.
The French justice is investigating the cause of the accident.
The crossing has already been made about 5000 times this year. The trip is dangerous because it traverses a shipping route of cargo ships. Last month, an international gang was arrested for human smuggling across the Channel. France and Great Britain regularly bicker about tackling illegal crossings.
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