French maritime authorities say at least 12 people died on Tuesday after a boat carrying people believed to be illegal migrants capsized in the English Channel that separates Britain and France.

Authorities said they rescued 65 people, but 12 of them were confirmed dead.

The French interior minister said children were among the victims, and that search operations continue for two missing people.

The boat is believed to have been heading to Britain from northern France. It remains unknown who the people on the boat are, or where they are from.

British public broadcaster BBC reported that this is "the worst casualty toll in the Channel since the start of the year."

A series of similar accidents have been reported in the channel.

The British government says migrants, including those from the Middle East, continue attempting to smuggle into Britain on small boats to apply for asylum, among other reasons.

This year, more than 20,000 people have reportedly crossed the English Channel this way.

The British and French governments suspect criminal organizations are involved in the dangerous crossings.

In late August, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed to tighten controls on illegal migration across the channel.