Four people die trying to board small boat in Channel crossing attempt

Four people have died off the coast of northern France after attempting to board a boat to take them across the English Channel, local authorities have said. Two men and two women died after they "tried to board a water taxi" and "the currents, which can be dangerous here, swept them away", the Pas-de-Calais prefecture said at a news conference, adding that the death toll was still "provisional". Thirty-eight people were rescued, three of whom were treated as emergencies by authorities, including two children taken to hospital as a precaution. The boat continued its journey towards the UK, carrying around 30 people. A UK government spokesperson said they were "deeply saddened" to hear about the deaths. "Every death in the Channel is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangers posed by criminal gangs exploiting vulnerable people for profit," the spokesperson said. "We will continue working relentlessly with the French and our partners overseas to prevent these perilous journeys." Rescue efforts began at first light on Thursday morning - around 07:30 local time (06:30 BST) - after the incident off the coast of Saint-Etienne-au-Mont, south of Boulogne-sur-Mer in Pas-de-Calais. Franc