In a statement, Kent Police said it was “made aware by the Coastguard of an incident in the channel involving a small boat just after 1pm”.
“One woman was airlifted back to shore where she was pronounced deceased,” police said. “Officers are conducing enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Earlier, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “HM Coastguard sent UK Border Force vessels, RNLI [Royal National Lifeboat Institution] lifeboats, and HM Coastguard aircraft, in response to small boat activity reported in the Channel on 9 September.”
A coastguard emergency helicopter was spotted flying above the Port of Dover.
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The RNLI confirmed it was responding to “incidents in the Channel”.
A spokesperson said: “RNLI lifeboats have been tasked by HM Coastguard to incidents in the Channel today.”
Two of its vessels were seen on a marine tracker heading to the rescue site, around 10 minutes from the coast.
Two coastguard vans and ambulances were also pictured waiting to receive people from the boats at the Port of Dover.
A group of people thought to be migrants have since been pictured being brought in to the Border Force compound in Dover, Kent, from one of its vessels.
