Four migrants died in two separate attempts to cross the Channel from France to Britain, French authorities said Thursday.
Three bodies were found on a small boat that approached the coast to pick up passengers near the port of Dunkirk early Thursday, the maritime prefecture said
Another boat sank late Wednesday off the seaside town of Hardelot, leading to the death of one man, authorities in the Pas-de-Calais region said. Rescue services took six people, including a one-year-old, into their care.
Security forces "neutralised" the vessel, they said, without elaborating.
Migrants are drawn into frequent deadly tragedies as they seek to cross one of the world's busiest shipping lanes on flimsy dinghies, hoping to reach Britain.
A woman died after reaching English waters last month following an illegal crossing from France, according to British and French authorities.
The vessel she was travelling in did not seek assistance during the crossing, but British authorities intercepted it and found an unconscious passenger, they said.
So far this year, 14 people have died trying to cross the Channel, according to an AFP tally based on official French and British sources.
At least 29 migrants lost their lives in the Channel last year, according to a similar AFP count.