At least 12 migrants died on Tuesday (Sep 3) after the vessel they were in capsized on its way across the Channel from France to Britain, La Voix du Nord newspaper reported, with a major operation underway to rescue over 50 people.

At least 12 migrants die attempting to cross Channel: French authorities

UK and France signed an agreement worth $74 million to ramp up efforts to stop illegal migrants from making perilous journeys across the English Channel

UK and France sign deal on migrant crossings

As temperatures are dropping to unbearable degrees, France is witnessing an anti-cyclone which is a weather system with high atmospheric pressure at its center. The colder weather is further posing a greater risk to the health of the migrants who are living in makeshift camps.

France: Migrants battle cold weather after a difficult journey

On Wednesday 27 migrants died when their dinghy capsized as they made a perilous crossing of the English Channel. British and French officials have already started trading the blame.

Worst migrant crossing disaster in English Channel, 27 migrants killed