French authorities have reported that at least four people, two men and two women, died attempting to board an inflatable boat from northern France to the UK. The prefect of the Pas-de-Calais region in northern France, François-Xavier Lauch, said 38 others were rescued, including one whose condition involved medical emergency. The incident occurred along a sand expanse of sand where people attempt the crossing often hide out for days. Campaign groups for migrant rights have warned that increasing efforts by French police to prevent boat departures from beaches are encouraging the use of these inflatable boats.