Paris, August 26 (RHC)-- French rescuers saved 22 migrants who found themselves "in difficulty" on the Channel overnight in their bid to get to Britain, French maritime authorities said Sunday.

"A semi-rigid vessel with 22 migrants," including a woman and a child, was found to be "in difficulty" off the coast of Dunkirk, a statement said.  The migrants were brought back to Dunkirk, it added.

On the night from Thursday to Friday, 24 migrants were rescued in the Channel.  British Interior Minister Priti Patel is set to discuss this issue soon with her French counterpart, Christophe Castaner, following a spike in migrant Channel crossings.

The crossings are particularly dangerous given the heavy maritime traffic on the Channel as well as strong currents and icy temperatures.  Britain currently has three Border Force cutters in the Channel.

Since January, the country has returned to Europe more than 65 people who arrived illegally in small boats, the interior ministry said.