Migrant dies trying to cross Channel to Britain

A migrant died trying to cross the Channel from northern France to Britain in an overcrowed dinghy, the seventh such death since mid July, French maritime authority Premar said on Sunday.

The victim was found aboard a "very crowded" boat after some of its passengers issued a cry for help, Premar told AFP, pointing to a "new phenomenon of people dying at sea not by drowning (but) by illness or in a crush".

Around 75 people were abord the vessel, Premar said, of whom 35 were rescued, including the dead person. The others continued their journey.

The dinghy was in the sea off the northern French port of Calais when it was reported overnight to the regional surveillance and rescue centre (CROSS).

The centre despatched a police vessel and a border guard patrol boat to the area at around 5:30 am after "some of the people aboard called for help".

While they were being transferred to the police and border guard vessels, officials noticed an "unconscious person" aboard the migrant boat. He was taken to hospital by helicopter but subsequently died, Premar said.

Six would-be asylum seekers died in three separate boat disasters in the Channel between July 12 and 19.