A Sudanese man has been arrested on suspicion of endangering life after four migrants drowned trying to cross the Channel.

The 27-year-old was arrested at the Manston processing centre in Kent, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

Two men and two women died as they attempted to climb on to a so called 'taxi boat' at Equihen-Plage, near Boulogne-sur-Mer, on Thursday morning.

The new people smuggling tactic, designed to avoid detection by French police, sees dinghies travel along the coast with just a driver to pre-designated beaches where migrants enter the water to climb onboard.

Two children were among those taken to hospital as a precaution after the incident and another person was treated for hypothermia.

Thirty-eight people were returned to the French shore after the incident south of Boulogne-sur-Mer near Calais, but 74 migrants travelled on to the UK.

The arrested man remains in police custody, and The NCA is interviewing those who made it to the UK.

Endangering another during a journey by sea to the UK is a new offence introduced as part of border security legislation earlier this year.

In January, an Afghan national, became the first person to be charged.

According to the Home Office, the offence is designed to stop more people being crammed into unsafe boats and would apply to those involved in physical aggression and intimidation, as well as anyone who resists rescue.

French government official Francois-Xavier Lauch, the prefect of Pas-de-Calais, told reporters on Thursday the people who died were 'already quite far into the sea', adding: 'The currents, which can be dangerous here, swept them away.'

The agency is helping French authorities with their investigation.

It came a day after French emergency services took part in a training exercise to practise dealing with migrants in the water at the same beach where the deaths happened.

Last week, two migrants died in a similar crossing attempt - thought to be the first of the year.

Craig Turner, NCA Deputy Director, said: 'Working with colleagues at home and abroad, we are determined to do all we can to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these four tragic deaths.'

Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said: 'Crossing the Channel on often faulty and defective dinghies is immensely dangerous and puts lives at risk.

'Labour's weak approach which allows these crossings to continue is causing lives to be lost, and their unwillingness to take decisive action on illegal immigration is fuelling this crisis. Nearly 70,000 illegal immigrants have crossed the Channel since Keir Starmer came to office – he doesn't have the backbone to do what is necessary.

'Stopping the crossings requires more than disruption on the beaches. It requires the swift removal of those who enter illegally so the incentive to make these dangerous journeys disappears.

'Ending illegal immigration requires real deterrence, and only the Conservative Party has a comprehensive plan to leave the ECHR and rapidly remove every illegal arrival within a week.'

More than 5,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year, according to Home Office data.

Britain is bracing for a 'bumper' summer of Channel crossings after Emmanuel Macron snubbed UK proposals for boats to be sent back to France.

Talks over a new migrant patrol deal were plunged into chaos after Shabana Mahmood pushed for Border Force vessels to be able to intercept boats carrying migrants in French waters and return them.

But Paris rebuffed the Home Secretary, saying the sovereignty of France's territorial waters was a red line and that British boats cannot enter them.

Despite this, the Home Office confirmed it was handing over another £16million of UK taxpayers' money to the French authorities for anti-crossing measures to remain in place for another two months while talks continue.

Critics said it showed Labour's plan for stopping the boats was 'shambolic' and 'in a state of collapse'.

They also warned of a surge in crossings if France and the UK fail to agree new terms on funding French beach patrols.

Home Office minister Mike Tapp said: 'Every death in the Channel is a tragedy. Our experienced law enforcement teams will continue working relentlessly with international partners to prevent these perilous journeys and bring those responsible to justice.

'Through our Border Security Act, officers now have stronger powers to act earlier and disrupt, intercept and take down the operations of criminal smuggling gangs who bring illegal migrants to our shores.'