People are feared to have died after a small migrant boat ran into difficulties in the early hours in the English Channel near Kent. The BBC's Simon Jones said it was understood there had been deaths but authorities have not confirmed them.

The major search and rescue operation was launched in UK waters in freezing conditions after reports of an incident at about 03:00 GMT. The home secretary said her "heartfelt thoughts" were with those involved.

"I am aware of a distressing incident in the Channel this morning and I am being kept constantly updated while agencies respond and urgently establish the full facts," Home Secretary Suella Braverman added.

The boat is likely to have been carrying migrants risking the crossing from France, a day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced new measures to "stop the boats".

It is understood the small boat got into trouble off the coast of Dungeness, 30 miles west of Dover.

The UK coastguard, the French Navy and an air ambulance were all sent to help with the rescue operation.

A fishing boat in the area and coastguard helicopters from Lydd and Lee on Solent were also involved.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said it was called following reports of the incident at 03.40 GMT, and sent crews to Dover, in Kent, to help with the follow-up operation. The Ministry of Defence said it was aware of the incident and agencies were supporting the coordinated response.

Overnight on Tuesday, temperatures dropped to 1C, with it likely to have been colder out at sea. A yellow weather warning for ice was in place across Kent at the time. The BBC's Simon Jones said 460 people made the journey from France to Kent in small boats between Friday and Sunday.

Nearly 45,000 people have made journey this year so far. This latest search and rescue follows a fatal incident in November 2021, when at least 27 migrants died after a dinghy sank while heading to the UK from France.