Three young children have died after a boating accident on the English Channel.
The boat is believed to have capsized with six passengers onboard near Agon-Coutainville in Normandy, France, at around 15.30pm local time.
It was believed to be 800m from shore when tragedy struck near Passous beach.
Emergency services discovered three adults and three children in the water, Le Figaro reported.
All three children - two girls and one boy - were in cardiac arrest when they were taken from the water and brought back to shore.
The victims were aged seven, nine and 13, according to reports.
Three adults - one of whom was a mother to one of the deceased children - are understood to be in shock but only slightly injured.
The passengers were believed to be on a motorboat when it attempted to turn and capsized.
Firefighters and the National Society of Sea Rescuers (SNSM) launched boats and a helicopter to assist with the rescue.
A boat from the nearby sailing school immediately headed for the capsize site after being alerted to the SOS.
The boat and all passengers were brought to shore following the accident.
"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," a statement from authorities said.
France's Ecology Minister Elizabeth Borne expressed her shock at the tragedy and paid tribute to the emergency services.
The minister added: "Infinite recognition of the sea rescuers and the services of the state which are mobilized on the spot".
Authorities have now launched an investigation into the incident.
