Three migrants, including a 10-year-old child, died Monday after a small boat carrying more than 100 people encountered difficulties while attempting to cross the English Channel from northern France to the United Kingdom, French authorities said.

The incident occurred after the boat departed from Blériot Plage, near Calais, on Monday morning. According to the French Maritime Prefecture of the Channel and the North Sea, authorities responded to a distress call from the vessel, which was carrying approximately 105 people.

Three passengers were treated aboard the boat after emergency services reached the vessel. However, all three were later pronounced dead by an emergency medical team transported to the scene by helicopter.

The victims were identified as a 10-year-old child and two women in their 30s, according to French authorities.

The latest deaths add to a growing toll from attempts to cross the English Channel in small, often overcrowded and poorly equipped boats. The route is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, with migrants facing strong currents, unpredictable weather and heavy maritime traffic.

Monday's tragedy came just days after three other people died during separate attempts to cross the Channel, according to French authorities.

Despite the dangers, thousands of migrants attempt the journey from France to the UK each year. Crossings typically increase during the warmer summer months, when sea conditions are generally more favorable.

The UK has also recorded a sharp flow of arrivals this year. Home Office figures showed that 781 migrants arrived in the UK in 10 small boats on Wednesday, marking the highest number of arrivals recorded in a single day so far this year.

The repeated incidents have renewed attention on the dangers faced by migrants attempting to reach Britain by sea and on the continuing challenge confronting French and British authorities in managing Channel crossings. (ILKHA)