Two men have died after attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat, in another fatal crossing of the stretch of water that has become one of the deadliest migration routes in northern Europe.

Emergency services were called to the incident and recovered the two men from the water. No further details were available at the time of reporting.

The Channel has seen a sustained rise in attempts over the past decade, driven by smuggling networks and by conflict and economic instability pushing people towards the crossing.

Safety groups regularly warn that the small inflatable and open craft used on these routes offer almost no protection on open water, where currents, cold and visibility can turn fatal within minutes.