The accident occurred off the French town of Wissant, the maritime authority in charge of the Channel and the North Sea told AFP, adding that 65 people were rescued but a “baby was found unconscious and sadly declared dead”.

The latest sinking brings the number of migrants who perished while trying to cross the Channel this year to at least 52 – a record since 2018.

On Sept 3, six children and an equal number of adults died. A month later, a two-year-old boy and three adults died after overloaded boats got into trouble during the dangerous crossing.

The number of migrants arriving in boats to the UK averaged 53 this year as opposed to 13 in 2020, according to official British figures.

Over 26,000 migrants have landed on British shores since Jan 1, according to UK Home Office figures.