Teen charged over record crossing on 'mega dinghy'
Summary
A 19-year-old Sudanese teenager, Chan Mathok Atak, has been charged for piloting a small boat carrying a record 165 migrants across the English Channel from France to England. This crossing broke the previous record of 128 people on one boat, highlighting ongoing challenges with migrant crossings and safety concerns.Key Facts
- Chan Mathok Atak, aged 19, is charged with endangering lives during a Channel crossing.
- The boat carried 165 migrants, the highest number ever recorded on one small vessel crossing the Channel.
- The previous record was 128 people crossing in July.
- Over 13,000 migrant arrivals were recorded in 2026 so far, down 45% from the same time in 2025.
- The dinghy used was about 13 meters (42 feet) long, roughly the size of a standard bus.
- Migrant crossings by small boats have become the most common way to enter the UK illegally since 2020.
- Nearly all arrivals by small boat apply for asylum, which lets them stay while their applications are processed.
- The UK government is working with France to stop people smuggling and has deported or removed nearly 70,000 people arriving illegally.
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