More migrants try to cross English Channel

PARIS - British and French authorities said about 40 migrants were rescued in the waters between southern England and northern France on Christmas Day, amid a spike in attempts by migrants to cross the English Channel to British shores on small boats.

The French regional maritime authority said in a statement that a small rubber boat with a failed engine was spotted on Tuesday off the coast of Calais, France. A police helicopter monitoring the area directed a tugboat to the stranded migrants, the authority said.

The maritime authority said eight migrants, including two children, were found aboard the boat and handed over to British authorities. It didn't provide the passengers' nationalities.