At least five people have died while attempting to cross the English Channel, according to French authorities, hours after Britain approved its migrant deportation bill.

The regional Voix du Nord newspaper said the bodies were discovered at the Wimereaux beach in northern France on Tuesday.

Local officials said about 110 migrants were crowded onto a small boat when panic broke out.

Neither local authorities nor the coast guard could say how many people had been rescued or could be missing.

The coast guard was still carrying out search-and-rescue operations at sea, a spokesperson said, after what the official called a "busy" morning, with several crossing attempts.

Reports of the deaths came only hours after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s latest effort to send some migrants on a one-way ticket to Rwanda finally won approval from Parliament.

The UK government plans to deport some of those who enter the country illegally as a deterrent to migrants who risk their lives in hopes they will be able to claim asylum once they reach Britain.

Human rights groups have described the legislation as inhumane and cruel.

Both the United Nations refugee agency and the Council of Europe called on Britain to rethink its plans for fears they could damage international cooperation on tackling the global migrant crisis. (Agencies)