A woman has died while attempting to cross the English Channel on an overloaded small boat.
The dinghy suffered what authorities described as a ‘catastrophic deflation’ 10 miles off the coast of Dover at around 12.30pm on Tuesday.
The woman was airlifted back to shore, where she was pronounced dead, police have said.
‘Kent Police was made aware by the coastguard of an incident in the Channel involving a small boat just after 1pm on Tuesday 9 September 2025,’ a spokesperson said.
‘One woman was airlifted back to shore, where she was pronounced deceased.
‘Officers are conducting enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.’
The UK Coastguard sent a Border Force vessel, two lifeboats and a helicopter to respond to the incident. They also issued a mayday call to other shipping in the area.
A Government spokesperson said: ‘One passenger was found unresponsive and was given CPR. Sadly, we can now confirm that this individual has died.
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, on September 9
The dinghy suffered what authorities have described as a ‘catastrophic deflation’ 10 miles off the coast of Dover at around 12.30pm on Tuesday. Pictured: Migrants arriving at Dover
‘We are shocked and saddened by this tragic incident. Our immediate thoughts are with all of those who have been affected.
‘This latest tragedy underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings, and we continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people.’
Footage shows people arriving at the Kent port and disembarking from Border Force boats on Tuesday.
A coastguard emergency helicopter was also pictured flying above the area.
A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesman had said earlier on Tuesday: ‘HM Coastguard sent UK Border Force vessels, RNLI lifeboats, and HM Coastguard aircraft, in response to small boat activity reported in the Channel on September 9.’
A Border Force boat, carrying suspected migrants thought to have been picked up during the rescue operation, arrived in the Port of Dover just after 3pm.
People, including some children, were seen leaving the ship wearing orange life vests and being met by officials.
There is no official record on the number of deaths of people trying to cross the Channel.
Last year 50 people died while trying to cross the Channel, according to the French coastguard, in what is considered the deadliest year since the crisis unfolded.
A Border Force boat, carrying suspected migrants thought to have been picked up during the rescue operation, arrived in the Port of Dover just after 3pm
A coastguard emergency helicopter was pictured flying above the area today
People, including some children, were seen leaving the ship wearing orange life vests and being met by officials
The International Organisation for Migration has also reported several more migrant deaths believed to be linked to crossing attempts in 2024.
Meanwhile, on Saturday more than 1,000 migrants arrived in the UK by small boat, tipping the total this year to more than 30,000.
New Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said it was ‘utterly unacceptable’ – as she was ordered to ‘go up a gear’ to stop the arrivals.
She is expected to order the transfer of migrants from hotels to army barracks and will also consider changing human rights laws to make it easier to reject and deport asylum claimants.
Ms Mahmood said on Sunday that a deal with France to return illegal migrants would begin soon, adding: ‘These small-boats crossings are utterly unacceptable and the vile people-smugglers behind them are wreaking havoc on our borders.
‘Thanks to our deal with France, people crossing in small boats can now be detained and removed to France, and I expect the first returns to take place imminently.
‘Protecting the UK border is my priority as Home Secretary and I will explore all options to restore order to our immigration system.’
