Three people, including a 10-year-old child and two women, were killed Monday during an attempted crossing of the English Channel from France, French authorities reported. The victims died after apparently being trampled on a heavily overcrowded inflatable boat carrying more than 100 people.

The incident occurred off the northern coast of France, where migrants often board small, precarious vessels known as “taxi boats” to cross the Channel. Passengers typically wade into the sea from nearby beaches to embark on these journeys.

French maritime rescue services responded to the distress call and took 105 people aboard a rescue boat, according to a statement from the maritime prefecture. An intensive care medical team, airlifted to the scene, confirmed the deaths of the two women—believed to be in their 30s—and the child.

French regional authorities provided additional confirmation of the fatalities while the rescue operation continued. The perilous voyage across the Channel has seen increasing attempts by migrants seeking to reach the United Kingdom, often resulting in dangerous overcrowding and hazardous conditions on small boats. This latest tragedy underscores the ongoing risks faced by those attempting the route.