A record 973 migrants crossed the Channel on small boats on the same day that four individuals lost their lives while attempting the journey from France to England, according to UK Home Office figures released on Sunday.
The figure for Saturday marks the highest single-day number of migrants making the cross-Channel journey this year, surpassing the previous high of 882 set on June 18. On the same day, a two-year-old boy and three adults perished after their overloaded boats encountered difficulties during the perilous crossing, which thousands attempt annually.
These tragic events have brought the total number of migrants killed while attempting Channel crossings this year to 51, as reported by Jacques Billant, France's prefect for the Pas-de-Calais region. Over 26,600 migrants have crossed the Channel on small boats in 2024, according to UK Home Office figures.
The deaths on Saturday were likely due to the victims being crushed in overloaded dinghies, according to authorities and prosecutors. UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper expressed her dismay on Saturday, stating that it is 'appalling that more lives have been lost in the Channel.' She emphasized that 'criminal smuggler gangs continue to organize these dangerous boat crossings,' and that 'the gangs do not care if people live or die — this is a terrible trade in lives.'
Keir Starmer's new Labour government has been actively working to reduce cross-Channel arrivals via small boats, a critical issue in this year's general election in July. The government has consistently pledged to 'smash the gangs' of people smugglers who orchestrate these hazardous journeys.
