A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, (Image: PA)
A migrant died after a dinghy deflated in the middle of the English Channel, plunging dozens of people into the water.
The woman was winched out of the water by a Coastguard helicopter and flown back to Dover.
But she was pronounced dead at the scene despite emergency crews administering CPR.
Sources have told the Daily Express the migrant dinghy collapsed as it reached UK waters, triggering a huge emergency operation involving Border Force, the Coastguard and RNLI.
The migrant vessel was being shadowed by the French at the time, this newspaper understands.
Witnesses also claimed the French did not intervene and waited for the British Border Force vessels and RNLI to arrive.
A Government spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Border Force responded to reports of a migrant boat in distress in the Channel at 1245 this afternoon. One passenger was found unresponsive and was given CPR. Sadly, we can now confirm that this individual has died.
“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.”
The RNLI have confirmed their involvement in “incidents in the Channel” on Tuesday afternoon.
An RNLI spokesperson said: “RNLI lifeboats have been tasked by HM Coastguard to incidents in the Channel today.”
Two coastguard vans and ambulances are waiting to receive migrants at the Port of Dover.
Migrant dinghy was being shadowed by the French
The migrant vessel was being shadowed by the French at the time, the Daily Express understands.
Witnesses also claimed the French did not intervene and waited for the British Border Force vessels and RNLI to arrive.
Home Office breaks silence
A Government spokesperson said: “We can confirm that Border Force responded to reports of a migrant boat in distress in the Channel at 1245 this afternoon. One passenger was found unresponsive and was given CPR. Sadly, we can now confirm that this individual has died.
“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.”
Deceased woman was ‘crushed to death’
The woman who died in the fatal Channel crossing today was “crushed to death”, a source claimed.
She was airlifted to Dover from the wreckage of the boat but was pronounced dead.
A woman died in the Channel tragedy
A woman died in the latest tragedy in the English Channel, the Daily Express can confirm.
Kent Police said it “was made aware by the Coastguard of an incident in the channel involving a small boat just after 1pm on Tuesday 9 September 2025.”
“One woman was airlifted back to shore where she was pronounced deceased. Officers are conducing enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
More from Dover
More migrants have been spotted arriving in Dover.
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, (Image: PA)
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, (Image: PA)
Latest pictures from Dover
More pictures are emerging from Dover
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, (Image: PA)
A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, (Image: PA)
More than 500 migrants are feared to have crossed the Channel today
More than 500 migrants are feared to have crossed the Channel today, just days after 1,097 were detected.
Border Force catamarans Ranger, Volunteer and Typhoon – which made two trips – all brought migrants into the Western Docks after picking up migrants mid-Channel.
Sister vessel Hurricane as well as Volunteer could both be seen in the middle of the Dover Straits while Ranger also ventured out to an area close to the Kent Port.
A group of people thought to be migrants queue up to board a bus in the Border Force compound in Dov (Image: PA)
Coastguard and RNLI sharing little detail so far…
The Coastguard said in a short statement: “HM Coastguard sent UK Border Force vessels, RNLI lifeboats, and HM Coastguard aircraft, in response to small boat activity reported in the Channel on 9 September.”
The RNLI added: “RNLI lifeboats have been tasked by HM Coastguard to incidents in the Channel today (9 September)”.
Migrants winched out of the water
Migrants were winched out of the water by the Coastguard helicopter after the latest Channel tragedy, the Express understands.
One migrant is feared dead in the latest tragedy
Two sources have told the Daily Express a migrant has died in the latest tragedy in the Channel.
Dozens of people went into the water after a boat deflated.
Helicopter flying above the Port of Dover
A Coastguard emergency helicopter has been seen flying above the Port of Dover.
A coastguard helicopter flying above Dover, Kent, following a small boat incident in the Channel. Pi (Image: PA)
Welcome to our live coverage of a rescue operation in the English Channel this lunchtime
Welcome to our live coverage of events in the English Channel.
We will bring you the latest updates here as we get them.
