More than 700 migrants arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel on Sunday, as two people died attempting the journey, Home Office figures show. 

The two migrants died after an inflated dinghy carrying dozens of people got into difficulty in the English Channel while trying to make the crossing from France.

The incident occurred this morning, offshore between Calais and Dunkirk, a French maritime official told the BBC.

There were two fatalities and around 50 others rescued, according to authorities. The surviving migrants were taken back to France. 

The latest fatalities brings the total of migrants who have died crossing the strait this year to 25. 

Several small boats were launched into the Channel from beaches in northern France this morning after a period of windy conditions, the BBC reported.