Four people have died following an incident involving a small boat carrying around 40 migrants in the English Channel between Britain and France, the British government said in a statement.
"At 03:05 GMT today, authorities were alerted to an incident in the Channel concerning a migrant small boat in distress," a government spokesperson said in a statement.
"After a coordinated search and rescue operation led by HM Coastguard, it is with regret that there have been four confirmed deaths as a result of this incident, investigations are ongoing and we will provide further information in due course."
According to Reuters, around 40 people were aboard the small boat before it sank. The exact type of vessel involved remains unclear.
Migrants have previously been intercepted making the crossing of one of the world's busiest shipping lanes on inflatable dinghies ill-suited for trips on the open sea.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said it coordinated the rescue operation, which involved the British and French navies, the UK's Border Force, police, air ambulances and other emergency responders.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed sorrow in response to the deaths. "I'm sure the whole House will share my sorrow at the capsizing of a small boat in the Channel in the early hours of this morning and the tragic loss of human life," he told parliament.
"Our hearts go out to all those affected and our tributes to those involved in the extensive rescue operation."
Earlier, UK Interior Minister Suella Braverman said she had been made aware of "a distressing incident in the Channel this morning".
"I am being kept constantly updated while agencies respond and urgently establish the full facts," she tweeted.
"My heartfelt thoughts are with all those involved."
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke added: "I am very saddened to hear that lives are feared to have been lost following a small boat tragedy in the English Channel this morning.
"My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved."
At least 27 people drowned while attempting to cross the Channel in a dinghy on November 24 last year.
The International Organization for Migration estimates that 205 migrants have been recorded as missing in the Channel since 2014.
Lifeboats
Lifeboats were launched from the Channel port of Dover shortly after 03:00 GMT, followed by vessels from Ramsgate and Hastings along the coast.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said at least four lifeboats and three coastguard rescue teams had been dispatched, as well as two coastguard helicopters and one from the French Navy.
"A fishing vessel in the area is also assisting in the rescue," it added. "The incident is ongoing and we have no further information".
French officials also confirmed a rescue operation was under way, with one of its helicopters and a navy patrol boat aiding the operation being led by Britain's coastguard.
Tens of thousands of migrants now regularly attempt to cross the Channel from northern France to southern England in small boats, in a trend that has grown hugely in recent years.
More than 43,000 migrants have made the journey across the Channel so far this year -- a record.
A third of all those arriving -- almost 13,000 -- have been Albanian.
Wednesday's incident came the day after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced a new deal with Albania to stem the flow of migrants crossing the Channel from mainland Europe.
He said that, under the agreement, Albanians arriving by boat across the Channel would be immediately returned to their home country.
A UK government spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident in UK waters and all relevant agencies are supporting a coordinated response.
"Further details will be provided in due course."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, REUTERS)
