Two migrants have died attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat.
The incident happened offshore between Calais and Dunkirk, in France, on Sunday morning, a French maritime official told the BBC.
About 50 migrants were rescued from the same small boat and the operation is ongoing.
More than 20 people have died this year attempting to cross the world’s busiest shipping lane in dangerously overloaded dinghies.
Several boats carrying migrants launched from beaches in northern France on Sunday after a period of windy conditions.
Fine weather in the morning prompted several groups to take to the water.
French authorities launched a large rescue operation when a vessel got into difficulties.
Searches of the area are continuing.
