Two people die trying to cross Channel as anti-migrant protesters clash with police in Gosport

French authorities say two men, one in his 30s and another in his 40s, died during overnight crossing

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Two people have died and two more have been injured trying to cross the Channel in a small boat, French authorities have said, while 12 anti-migrant protesters on England’s south coast were arrested after what police described as “violent disorder” as they opposed the rescue of nearly 150 more people on a second vessel.

Even though the number of small boat crossings has fallen in recent months, the incidents come amid growing unrest in some quarters partly fuelled by far-right agitators.