At least two people have died off the coast of Calais attempting to cross to England, French media is reporting. 

Around 50 migrants have been taken into the care of the French humanitarian charity Utopia 56.

Ten people with severe hypothermia are being cared for by firefighters, BFM TV reported.

A French Navy helicopter is part of a large-scale rescue operation deployed to a beach at Sangatte near Calais.

The first alert was raised on Sunday morning, at around 6.15am, with the bodies of two adults recovered by emergency services about 45 minutes later, a police source told the French broadcaster.

Rescuers are positioned opposite the Fort Lapin campsite in the coastal commune, with the operation still underway.

The death toll could rise, authorities say.

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