A rubber dinghy carrying 230 people arrived at Dover on August 10 after crossing the English Channel overnight from northeastern France. More than 20 of those aboard were children. France's SNSM lifeboat service had counted everyone aboard before the boat left the French coast.
The crossing broke the previous record. In July, 165 people had crossed in a single boat.
Britain's Home Office said the incident showed the reckless and dangerous tactics of criminal gangs that pack increasing numbers onto boats, risking lives in the process. The French coastguard had the boat under observation from the moment it left the coast late on August 9.
Record 230 Migrants Cross English Channel in Single Small Boat
Interest over time · English ChannelWho's watching
- GB87%
- US6%
- FR5%
- DE1%
- IE1%
- NL1%
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