A record-breaking 125 migrants crossed the Channel to the UK on a single boat on Saturday. This surpasses the previous record of 106 people who made the crossing in August on what media dubbed a "mega dinghy".
The crossing represents the largest number of migrants recorded travelling together on one vessel. It highlights the continuing crisis of small boat crossings in the Channel.
Government response intensifies
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the crossings, stating: "These small boats crossings are utterly unacceptable and the vile people smugglers behind them are wreaking havoc on our borders. Thanks to our deal with France, people crossing in small boats can be detained and the first removals have now begun. Protecting the UK border is my priority as Home Secretary and I will explore all options to restore order to our immigration system."
Several people have been removed to France under the government's "one in, one out" deal with French authorities. This forms part of Sir Keir Starmer's (Labour) strategy to "smash the gangs" that smuggle migrants to the UK.
Record numbers continue rising
The number of migrant arrivals on small boats has reached 33,000 in 2025 so far. This marks a record for this point in the year since Channel crossing data was first collected in 2018.
Saturday alone saw 895 people arrive across 12 boats. The day included the record-breaking vessel carrying 125 migrants.
Recent tragedies highlight dangers
A child reportedly died off the French coast on Sunday morning while attempting to cross the Channel. According to Nord Littoral, the death occurred at approximately 6:30am at Ecault beach in Saint-Etienne-au-Mont, with 48 migrants cared for by emergency services though the vessel continued its Channel crossing.
Cecile Gressier, prosecutor in Boulogne-sur-Mer, told local media: "An investigation has been opened to determine the conditions of death. The age and nationality of the victim are not determined."
The tragedy followed the deaths of two Somali women on Friday night. Around 100 people had departed northern France for the UK in a makeshift boat, with approximately 60 rescued from the incident south of the Neufchatel-Hardelot beaches between Boulogne and Le Touquet.
Deadliest crisis continues
French newspaper La Voix Du Nord reported these deaths bring the total Channel crossing fatalities to at least 20 this year. Last year saw 50 deaths during crossing attempts according to French coastguard records, making it the deadliest year since the crisis began.
The International Organisation for Migration has also reported several additional migrant deaths believed linked to crossing attempts in 2024 and this year.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Nord Littoral", "La Voix Du Nord" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
