More than 900 migrants reached their destination by crossing the sea in small boats within a single day.
On Saturday, a total of 17 boats were used by over 900 individuals to successfully cross the English Channel.
On Saturday, a record-breaking number of over 900 individuals successfully made the daring journey across the English Channel in small boats. This marks the highest daily total of crossings recorded this year.
In 17 boats, a total of 973 migrants arrived, bringing the year’s overall count to 26,612 individuals in 503 boats, as reported by the Home Office.
Four people, including a two-year-old boy, lost their lives while attempting to cross the Channel to reach the UK, as announced by French authorities on the same day.
According to the Home Office, they have previously stated that they are making significant progress in their efforts to put an end to perilous small boat crossings. These crossings not only pose a threat to lives but also undermine the security of our borders.
On June 18, a total of 882 people arrived, marking the highest daily influx of arrivals in 2024.
On Friday, a total of 395 migrants successfully made the journey and arrived in the UK. This marks a significant increase compared to the first three days of October, where no recorded crossings were reported.
As of now, the number of arrivals in 2024 has surpassed the figures from last year. By this point in time, the UK had seen 25,330 migrants entering the country.
However, the number of people making the crossing is still significantly lower compared to the same period in 2022. In that year, a total of 33,586 individuals had already made the journey.
The number of arrivals in 2024, thus far, is still lower compared to the same period in 2022.
French authorities announced on Saturday that the tragic deaths of four individuals who were attempting to cross the Channel were most likely caused by being “trampled to death” in two separate boats that experienced engine failures.
French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, describing the incident as a “terrible tragedy”. He emphasized that those responsible for smuggling people have the blood of these individuals on their hands.
UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her dismay at the tragic deaths, describing them as “appalling”. She further emphasized the role played by criminal smuggler gangs in orchestrating these perilous boat crossings.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his strong determination to address the issue of smuggling gangs facilitating the crossings. However, he has not provided a specific timeframe for implementing the necessary measures.