Record 230 people cross Channel to UK as smugglers turn to ‘mega-dinghies’
Summary
A record 230 people crossed the English Channel in a single dinghy, showing that people smugglers are using bigger boats to avoid police patrols. The UK and French authorities have been working to stop small boat crossings, but smugglers are changing their methods to move larger groups at once.Key Facts
- A dinghy carrying 230 people arrived in the UK, marking the highest number ever in a single Channel crossing.
- People smugglers are now using larger “mega-dinghies” to carry more people across the Channel.
- This change follows stronger police actions in northern France against smaller boats.
- Earlier this year, there were at least nine crossings with mega-dinghies, including one that capsized with 173 people onboard.
- The UK government made a deal with Germany to seize boats and engines before they reach the water.
- The UK and France have a “one in, one out” policy, where one person arriving illegally can be returned when another enters legally to claim asylum.
- NGOs say that stricter policies have pushed migrants to take more dangerous routes rather than stop crossings.
- Advocates argue that creating safe legal routes for asylum seekers would reduce risky Channel crossings.
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