News - Middle East: Four people died after a small migrant boat traveling from France to the British coast capsized in the frozen waters of the English Channel early Wednesday, reports said.

Lifeboats, helicopters, and rescue teams working with the French and British navies responded to the incident. The British government said it was a “small migrant boat in distress.”

Migration to the UK organized by human-trafficking gangs has become an issue of high priority for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government.

A British government spokesman said in a statement authorities were alerted to an incident in the Channel at 0305 (GMT).

After a search and rescue operation led by HM Coastguard, four people were confirmed dead. The statement also said further investigation into the incident is underway.

British Home Secretary Suella Braverman told parliament the tragic incident was a reminder that dangerous journeys across the Channel must end.