Three children aged seven, nine and 13 have died after a boat they were in capsized in the English Channel, according to reports.
Three adults - one couple and another woman - who were also in the boat were injured, according to French newspaper Le Figaro.
The children, reportedly two girls and a seven-year-old boy, suffered cardiac arrest after being rescued and died.
The vessel is said to have suffered engine failure as it tried to turn and capsized near Agon-Countainville, Normandy, on Monday afternoon about 800m from Passous Beach.
A boat from the nearby sailing school responded after it was alerted to the crash by SOS, officials said.
Firefighters and the National Society of Sea Rescuers used boats and a helicopter to help with the rescuers.
The boat and all passengers were brought to shore.
The nationality of the victims was not immediately clear.
Ecology Minister Elisabeth Borne said: "Emotions are running high following the tragic capsize in the channel.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
"Our gratitude goes to the efforts of "Sauveteursenmer and the emergency services on location."
An investigation has been launched.
In a statement to Le Figaro, maritime authorities said: "The boat as well as all the passengers were brought back to the beach of Passous where they were taken care, in a state of emergency, by the medical teams and the firemen."
