Two women die in Channel crossing attempt from France to Britain

Two women died after a boat carrying about 80 ​migrants trying to cross to ‌Britain from France capsized near Calais, the local French administration said on Sunday.

"We ​regret to say that we ​found two people, two women, who ⁠had died," said Christophe Marx, ​an official for the Pas-de-Calais administration, ​adding that authorities had rescued the others.

The deaths highlight the difficulties faced by Britain ​and France over tackling small ​boats transporting migrants illegally across the English ‌Channel, ⁠while concerns over immigration numbers have driven up support for parties such as Reform UK and France's National Rally (RN) ​party.

Last month, ​Britain ⁠said it would pay France up to 660 million pounds ($895.8 ​million) under a three-year border ​security ⁠deal to try to clamp down on illegal migrant crossings of ⁠the ​Channel, with part of ​the funding contingent on results.

($1 = 0.7368 pounds)