Channel crossings: Sudanese migrant who drowned trying to reach UK named as Abdulfatah Hamdallah

The Sudanese migrant who drowned trying to cross the English Channel has been named as Abdulfatah Hamdallah.

A French official confirmed his identity to The Independent amid an investigation into his death.

Philippe Sabatier, Boulogne-sur-Mer's deputy public prosecutor, said a travel document being carried by Mr Hamdallah gave his age as 28.

His friend, who survived when their small dinghy capsized, had told rescuers he was 16.

Mr Sabatier said the pair had been living in the Calais “Jungle” camp for two months before attempting the crossing, but that investigators had not yet pieced together their journey to France.

“I don’t know if he had applied for asylum with British authorities, but he appears to have done so with the French authorities,” he added.

Mr Hamdallah and his friend had stolen an inflatable boat from a chalet in Sangatte, along with shovels to use as oars.

The vessel was a small dinghy that can be purchased in supermarkets, officials said, and inflated by mouth.

Experts believe that the wake of a passing ferry or commercial ship would have been capable of overturning it.

Mr Hamdallah’s friend managed to reach shore, suffering from hypothermia, and alerted authorities shortly after 1am on Wednesday.

“[He said] that they capsized and his companion must still be in the water,” said a statement from the maritime prefecture for the Channel. “He also warned that his companion could not swim.”

A sea search was carried out using boats and a Belgian air force helicopter, but was called off at around 4.30am when nothing was found.