Two migrants have died trying to cross the English Channel today in a small boat in French waters, a British government spokesman said.

About 50 migrants were rescued from the same small boat after the vessel sent a distress signal to the regional coast guard centre.

A helicopter and two boats were sent to rescue the migrants and pulled "several" people from the water with "fuel burn injuries", according to French regional maritime authorities.

“There has been a tragic incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters which has resulted in the loss of two lives. This latest tragedy highlights the terrible dangers of small boat crossings and we continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals taking advantage of vulnerable people," a government spokesman told Sky News.

The rescued people were returned to France and French authorities are leading the investigation into the deaths.