They had set out in winds of up to 80 mph to go to the aid of another vessel, but the lifeboat capsized off the west coast of France, near La Rochelle. 

Four of the seven crew on board were able to swim to safety, while the boat itself was eventually washed ashore upside down.

Peter Adams, Lifeboat Operations Manager at Hastings RNLI said. ‘The thoughts of the crew and everyone at Hastings Lifeboat Station is with the families of our French colleagues, and to those who have lost loved ones following this tragic accident.’