Migrant death toll rises to 27 in deadliest English Channel disaster

The migrant death toll rose to 27 after a boat crossing the Channel from France to England sank off the northern French coast, the deadliest single disaster on the intensively-used route.

At least 27 migrants trying to reach England from France died on Wednesday when their boat sank off the northern French coast, the deadliest disaster since the Channel became a hub for clandestine crossings.

President Emmanuel Macron vowed France would not allow the Channel to become a "cemetery" and also spoke to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to agree on stepping up efforts to thwart the traffickers blamed for the surge in crossings.