One person dies after refugee boat in Channel runs into difficulty

French authorities say at least 66 people were onboard when vessel was spotted about five miles off coast

One person has died after a boat carrying dozens of refugees ran into difficulties while attempting to cross the Channel, French authorities have said.

At least 66 people had been onboard the craft when it was spotted about five miles (8km) off the coast of Grand-Fort-Philippe at about 12.30am local time on Friday, Premar Manche, a French agency that monitors the Channel, said.