Migrant boat sinks in Channel killing six people

UNITED KINGDOM, Aug 12: Six people have died after a boat carrying migrants sank in the English Channel.

A joint rescue operation by the British and French coastguards has rescued 51 others, authorities said.

A number of people were seen being brought off a lifeboat on stretchers in Dover. The extent of the other injuries is unclear.

The RNLI said a lifeboat crew was launched just before 04:00 BST.

A volunteer, who was on one of the rescue boats, told Reuters that migrants were using shoes to bale water out of the sinking boat.

Anne Thorel said there had been "too many" people on the boat.

The UK Home Office has been asked for more details about the incident while Home Secretary Suella Braverman is expected to chair a meeting this morning.

As of 10 August, 15,826 people have crossed the Channel in a small boat this year.

(BBC)