Record 230 migrants cross Channel in mega-dinghy

A mega-dinghy carrying 230 migrants has crossed the Channel, setting a new record for the number of arrivals in Britain on a single small boat.

The vessel, which left France on Sunday night, was intercepted by Border Force, HM Coastguard and the RNLI, and taken to Dover in the early hours of Monday. A deflated large dinghy could be seen on the quayside there on Monday morning.

The number of people on board surpasses a previous record of 165 migrants, who reached the UK in a single boat in July. Last week, people-smugglers packed 173 people onto a boat attempting to cross the Channel, but they were returned to France after its engine caught fire.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said the record-breaking crossing proved the “illegal invasion is a national security emergency”.

In a post on X, Mr Farage said: “At 2.30am this morning, a boat carrying 230 people was taken into Dover. This is a record number in a single vessel. It’s yet more proof that this illegal invasion is a national security emergency.”

The average number of migrants per small boat has increased from seven in 2018 to 63 in the year to March, and 70 so far this month.

The increasing numbers of passengers reflect efforts by people-smuggling gangs to cram more migrants on to single boats to maximise their illegal profits.

Last Tuesday, RNLI Eastbourne was called out, alongside British and French coastguards, to rescue 23 people and return them to France, after the engine of the dinghy they were on caught fire.

There were no reported fatalities, the Government said. The French authorities said 11 people had minor injuries, and three were taken to hospital.