A woman has died attempting to cross the English Channel in a boat carrying migrants, according to Kent Police.

The overloaded dinghy suffered what the authorities are describing as a “catastrophic deflation” 10 miles (16km) off the coast of Dover at about 12:30 BST on Tuesday.

The UK Coastguard sent a Border Force vessel, two lifeboats and a helicopter to the scene – and issued a mayday call to other shipping in the area.

The woman was airlifted to Dover, but was pronounced dead, police said.

Several other people were pulled from the water, according to HM Coastguard.

A government spokesperson said: “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.”

Meanwhile, an investigation has begun into whether a migrant boat reached the Kent coast without being intercepted by the Border Force.

The thousands of people crossing the English Channel are usually brought to shore in Border Force or RNLI boats, but one is reported to have slipped through on Saturday, the first time this has happened since December 2022.

Kent Police said five people were detained near Kingsdown and passed to immigration authorities, the same day as more than 1,000 people were recorded to have arrived in the UK by small boat.

Asked about the incident, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson said: “My understanding is the circumstances of their arrival are being investigated, that all five people were placed under immigration control.

“We obviously have significant arrangements and technology in place to prevent uncontrolled landings.”

About 500 people are believed to have made the crossing on Tuesday.

A total of 77 people lost their lives attempting the journey in 2024, according to the French authorities.

Thousands of migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats since the new “one in, one out” agreement with France took effect in August, figures from the Home Office show.

The plan proposes that for each migrant the UK returns to France, another person with a strong case for asylum in Britain will be allowed to stay.

More than 30,000 people have reached the UK in small boats so far in 2025 and more than 50,000 have crossed since Labour came into power in July 2024.

Additional reporting from PA Media.