Four UK-bound migrants die in two separate cross-Channel attempts - after Andy Burnham claimed plan to stop small boats 'is working'

Four migrants have died on two separate attempts to cross the Channel from France to Britain. A small boat packed with UK-bound migrants overturned off the coast of France, opposite Neufchâtel-Hardelot, in the early hours of Thursday, leading to the death of one man and the 'near drowning' of a baby.Local mayor Paulette Juilien-Peuvion described how more than 100 people, including women and children, were attempting to board a flimsy inflatable designed for around 15 passengers.'One man died, and six were seriously hurt,' she said, during a visit to the scene later in the day.The deceased man was from Africa, and in his 30s, according to rescuers.Six others were severely hurt, including a one-year-old baby who 'almost drowned ', said an emergency services source.He added: 'The small boat arrived on an isolated beach just before midnight, and that's when dozens of people tried to get on board.Meanwhile, three women were found dead near the port of Dunkirk, French authorities said on Thursday. People thought to be migrants attempt to board a small boat off the coast of Hardelot, France, during an attempt to cross the English Channel on Wednesday July 29, 2026. It is unclear if the boat pictured was involved in anyof the incidents in the Channel The remains of an inflatable small boat lay on the beach in Hardelot, France, following a failed attempt by people thought to be migrants to board the vessel and cross the Channel in the early hours of this morning in which one man died. Picture date: Thursday July 30, 2026 A discarded life vest lays on the beach in Hardelot, France, following a failed attempt by people thought to be migrants to board a small boat and cross the Channel in the early hours of this morning in which one man diedThey are understood to have been on a separate boat to the man who died. The women were brought to shore as French emergency services rushed to the scene; however, attempts to resuscitate them failed and all three were declared dead. They were reportedly aged around 20, 30 and 50.Hundreds of migrants have attempted the perilous sea journey between France and England this week because of calm seas and good weather.Earlier this month, a small boat with 128 people on board reached Britain – marking the largest ever-known number of people to make the crossing in one vessel.A Home Office spokesman said: 'Smuggling gangs are taking greater risks than ever, with the number of people they are cramming into unseaworthy boats rising year on year.'This crossing serves as a stark reminder that criminal gangs have no regard for the safety of those they claim to help; the reality is clear, and lives are being lost in the Channel as a result.'More than 12,500 people have succeeded in reaching the UK from French shores this year.At least 10 UK-bound migrants have died in the Channel this year, either by drowning or suffocating in a small boat because of overcrowding. Migrants aboard a smugglers' boat attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France, on July 29, 2026 Migrants run to board a smugglers' boat in an attempt to cross the English Channel off the beach of Gravelines, northern France, on July 29, 2026 People thought to be migrants are brought back by French authorities to the beach in Hardelot, France, after attempting to board a small boat to attempt to cross the English Channel. Picture date: Wednesday July 29, 2026The worst tragedy of this kind came in November 2021, when 27 migrants died after a dinghy sank while heading to the UK – the highest recorded number of deaths from a single incident.The British and French governments have pledged to strengthen cooperation to fight the people smugglers, but they are regularly criticised for not doing enough.The latest incident in the Channel comes as hundreds of migrants headed for Britain this week, just 24 hours after Andy Burnham claimed the plan to stop small boats 'is working.'More than 700 migrants are thought to have attempted to cross the Channel yesterday on one of the busiest days so far this year.Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp was told by one French officer that they had orders not to intervene, as the Tory MP spent the day monitoring departures from a beach in the north of the country.Gendarmes stood by as more than 100 migrants gathered in shallow waters before struggling aboard one overloaded inflatable bound for the UK.Ruthless people traffickers also appeared to have adopted a new tactic, mounting simultaneous boat departures from multiple locations up and down the French coast.On Tuesday the new Prime Minister defended the Government's handling of the Channel crisis, saying: 'The numbers can fluctuate but, overall, boat crossings are down, down quite significantly year on year. So that does suggest the plan is working.' It comes as PM Andy Burnham this week claimed that the plan to stop small boats 'is working'However, the scale of yesterday's crossings – which has yet to be officially confirmed by the Home Office – could indicate that a significant downturn in migrant numbers may be coming to an end.According to unofficial estimates, about 570 migrants had reached Dover by yesterday evening. Last night there were still three dinghies making their way across the strait.It was not clear whether they would cross the mid-point of the Channel in order to be picked up by Border Force by midnight, in time to be included in the day's tally.One of the boats deployed by traffickers yesterday was understood to have set off from Belgian waters earlier in the day.The first were believed to have arrived in the early hours of yesterday, just hours after the PM voiced his confidence in the current measures.