Several migrants died off the coast of France on the weekend while attempting to cross the English Channel, French officials have said.

The tragedy occurred in the commune of Ambleteuse, according to local authorities.

The latest fatalities come as French maritime authorities rescued around 200 people off the coast of Calais in the space of 24 hours between Friday and Saturday night and brought them back to land.

Among the those rescued were 55 migrants in boat described as being in poor condition, which was located off the coast of Le Portel.

The rescue operations also saw 61 migrants picked up off the coast of La Becque d’Hardelot, 48 people recovered close to a lighthouse, French authorities said, as per Sky News. 36 people were also rescued at the end of the day, according to officials.

Authorities said they monitored 18 attempts to launch boats across the arm of the Atlantic Ocean separating Southern England from northern France on Saturday.

It comes after 12 people died whenmigrant dinghy carrying dozens of asylum seekers “ripped open” in the English Channel earlier this month. A pregnant woman was among the fatalities, the mayor of Boulogne-sur-Mer Frédéric Cuvillier said.

French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin confirmed that those killed included “about 10 women, some of whom were minors”.

Three children were also understood to be among those who lost their lives, in the deadliest incident of the year so far. Some 51 survivors were taken ashore.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said at the time: “What has happened off the coast at Le Portel is a horrifying and deeply tragic incident, and our hearts go out to the loved ones of all those who have lost their lives, and all those who have been seriously injured.

“I am in touch with my counterpart in France, Gérald Darmanin, and am being kept updated on the situation. We pay tribute to the French coastguard and emergency services who undoubtedly saved many lives, but sadly could not save everyone.

“We will await the results of the French investigation into how this particular incident unfolded. The gangs behind this appalling and callous trade in human lives have been cramming more and more people onto increasingly unseaworthy dinghies, and sending them out into the Channel even in very poor weather.

“They do not care about anything but the profits they make, and that is why – as well as mourning the awful loss of life – the work to dismantle these dangerous and criminal smuggler gangs and to strengthen border security is so vital and must proceed apace.”

According to government figures, over 21,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats between January and September.