The migrant boat issued a distress signal at sea off the northern coast of France between Calais and Dunkirk. The vessel had run into trouble 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of Calais while carrying 56 migrants, said the prefect of the Pas-de-Calais department, Jacques Billant.

British and French coast guard officials launched a large rescue operation after the vessel apparently encountered difficulties in foggy conditions. 

The Gris-Nez Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Centre (CROSS) identified that the boat was in an area where visibility was impaired due to fog.

By the time maritime authorities could reach the group, two migrants had become unconscious and later died.

54 others were safely brought back to port in Calais. 

A non-governmental organization called L'Auberge des Migrants ("The migrant hostel") mourned the deaths on X, saying "This border kills in the greatest of silences."

Further rescues in English Channel

In a statement, a UK government spokesperson confirmed the "tragic incident" and emphasized that it "underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings."

We continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people. Our thoughts are with those affected," the statement continued.

Meanwhile in a second incident on Sunday involving 50 migrants, 36 people were rescued by the French vessel Minck and another 14 by a different vessel.

Five people from the total of 104 rescuees from Sunday are still receiving medical care, according to officials.

Also read: Dina's dreams lie in tatters after fatal Channel crossing attempt

Rising number of Channel deaths

This month alone, nine people have already died while attempting the dangerous English Channel crossing, with the total number of fatalities since the beginning of the year now standing at 25 -- more than twice last year's figure. 

In 2023, 12 migrants died at sea trying to reach the UK, according to the French authorities. 

According to an AFP tally of British government figures, at least 17,639 people have crossed the North Sea on so-called "small boats" to Britain this year. This is very close to the figure for the same period in 2022, a year which saw a record number crossings. 

According to Billant, this high tally is despite the fact that more than 350 people have been arrested and 15 "smuggler networks" dismantled since the start of the year. 

Also read: Channel crossings: 'More people die when they set sail than on the open sea'

The tricky business of interrupting smugglers

Following the Labour party's victory in the British general election in July, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France's President Emmanuel Macron pledged to strengthen their "cooperation" in handling the high number of undocumented migrants arriving in the country. 

While French authorities seek to stop migrants taking to the water, they do not intervene once they are afloat except for rescue purposes, citing safety concerns. 

Meanwhile, both the UK and French governments are seeking to crack down on the people-smuggling gangs who organize the crossings, and are paid thousands of euros by each migrant for the risky trip. 

However, a crackdown on smuggling gangs can have adverse consequences on people fleeing violence, putting them at greater risk.

For example, The Guardian reported that there is now a shortage of available dinghies after efforts by the UK and other countries to disrupt their supply chain. NGOs report that this has caused a significant increase in the number of people scrambling to board the remaining few dinghies, resulting in one of the main causes of deaths at sea: overcrowding.

The Guardian also reported that French police occasionally slash inflatable boats with knives to stop them from being used for crossings.

According to official UK government data, the average number of individuals per boat has now increased from 20 - 30 back in 2018 to 60 - 70 in 2024, with recent reports indicating over 100 people being packed into some vessels.

Also read: One dead and dozens rescued during Channel crossing attempt

Riots in the UK 

The rising death toll from Channel crossings comes at a time of heightened anti-immigrant sentiment in the UK.

Violent riots have been held in the UK in the past two weeks, which were triggered by a knife attack on July 29 that killed three children. The attack was falsely attributed to a Muslim immigrant on social media, further inflaming tensions and fueling unrest.

The riots, marked by attacks on mosques and asylum seeker accommodations, have presented a significant challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer's new government and its approach to tackling irregular immigration.

Although there is ample public support for Starmer's unapologetic crackdown on rioters, there is also significant public pressure to find new ways to reduce immigration numbers to Britain. 

Also read: UK: Migrant workers face racism and threats as mob violence continues