Iran Press/ Europe: The International Organisation for Migration said it was the most significant single loss of life in the Channel since it began collecting data in 2014, Xinhua News Agency reported.
"Around 2 p.m., a fisherman reported the discovery of about fifteen bodies floating off Calais," French radio France Info reported.
French President Emmanuel Macron ordered an "immediate reinforcement of resources for Frontex at the external boarders of the EU."
France will not let the Channel become a "cemetery," Macron said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson wrote on Twitter that "I am shocked, appalled and deeply saddened by the loss of life at sea in the Channel. My thoughts are with the victims and their families. Now is the time for us all to step up, work together and do everything we can to stop these gangs who are getting away with murder."
Meanwhile, Darmanin arrived in Calais later in the evening, where he met with Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart in the hospital where the rescued migrants were being treated. He reaffirmed the criminal nature of the smugglers who organize these crossings.
The Dunkirk prosecutor's office has announced the opening of an investigation for "assistance for illegal entry in an organized group" and "aggravated manslaughter."
In July, the British government announced that it would overhaul its asylum system to make it a criminal offense to arrive in the country without permission knowingly.
In a report published on Nov. 19, the Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea said it had recorded 31,500 attempts to leave for Britain. And 7,800 migrants had been rescued since the beginning of the year, while seven people had died or disappeared.
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