An asylum seeker on board the Bibby Stockholm barge, which houses migrants off Dorset, has died.
Several sources have told the OceanNewsUK that the man who died is thought to have taken his own life.
Dorset Police were called to the vessel, docked off Portland, just after 06:20 GMT on Tuesday and its officers are carrying out enquiries.
Richard Drax, Conservative MP for South Dorset, said it was a "tragedy born of an impossible situation".
The three-storey barge, docked off Portland, houses people awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications and has capacity for up to 500 men.
The death happened in one of the more than 200 cabins on board, a source familiar with the incident said.
The age and nationality of the man who has died are yet to be confirmed.
Mr Drax said: "While I never agreed to, nor accepted the imposition of the barge on South Dorset, I believe it was at least a decent, safe haven for some of those cruelly trafficked across the Channel.
"One can only imagine the desperate circumstances which led to this sad outcome; we must do all that we can to end this evil trade in human misery."
The Home Office said it was aware of reports of an incident involving an asylum seeker on board the Bibby Stockholm. The coroner's office has been notified.
Steve Smith, CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais, said: "Our thoughts are with the person who has lost their life, their family and their friends."
He said those on board the Bibby Stockholm "will be experiencing a deep feeling of grief and worry today," adding: "The UK government must take responsibility for this human tragedy."
The vessel was first used for accommodating asylum seekers in August but was evacuated after Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply, with people returning to it in October.
The barge is the first to be used as part of government plans to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation.
There was considerable opposition to the plan, both from local people and national organisations, with campaigners calling it "cruel and inhumane".
Ann Salter, from campaigning charity Freedom from Torture, said the organisation was "devastated" to learn of the death, describing it as a tragedy. She added: "It's time this government ends the use of barges and barracks as asylum accommodation once and for all.
"Those seeking protection need to be housed in our communities where they can properly access the support they need to recover and rebuild their lives."
News of the death comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak separately prepares for a key vote on his flagship Rwanda bill later.
The scheme would see those who arrive in the UK illegally sent to the east African country, where they could claim asylum.
