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Title: Surge in Migrant Crossings: Over 1,100 Arrive in the UK
Drone footage captures an inflatable dinghy loaded with migrants making its way to England in the English Channel on May 4, 2024. — Reuters
- 1,194 migrants reached the UK by crossing the Channel in small boats.
- The highest daily total recorded was 1,300 arrivals in September 2022.
- French authorities rescued nearly 200 migrants between Friday and Saturday.
LONDON: On Saturday, 1,194 migrants successfully crossed the Channel and reached the UK, marking a record for the year based on data compiled by AFP from government sources.
This brings the total number of crossings in 2024 to 14,808, an unprecedented statistic despite ongoing efforts from both French and UK governments to reduce these numbers.
French coastal authorities reported that they rescued nearly 200 migrants over the weekend.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey characterized the recent crossings as "shocking," although they do not surpass the all-time daily high of 1,300 small boat arrivals recorded in September 2022.
Nevertheless, these developments are a source of concern for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has been under pressure from far-right factions to tighten immigration policies.
The Home Office issued a statement expressing, "We all want to put an end to dangerous small boat crossings, which put lives at risk and challenge our border security."
Earlier this month, Starmer introduced new immigration policies aimed at increasing the duration required for migrants to qualify for residency and enhancing powers to deport foreign criminals.
These measures are widely viewed as an effort to regain voter support in light of growing competition from the hard-right Reform Party.
Legislation aimed at addressing irregular immigration, known as the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, is currently being reviewed in Parliament.
However, the recent surge in crossings represents a significant setback.
The total of 14,808 crossings recorded in the first five months of 2024 is the highest since records began in 2018, when this route gained popularity.
It also surpasses the previous record for the first half of the year, which stood at approximately 12,900 crossings.
"Shocking" Conditions
On Saturday, French authorities conducted four rescue operations, assisting a total of 184 individuals along the coast.
In one case, the engine on a boat carrying 61 people failed, while in another, nine people requested help from nearby vessels.
According to an AFP tally, there have been 15 fatalities this year related to Channel crossings, known as one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
"Pretty shocking scenes yesterday," Healey remarked in an interview with Sky News on Sunday. "We observed smugglers launching from various locations and then circling around to pick up migrants, indicating that Britain has lost control of its borders."
Though French officials agreed to increase police patrols to intercept migrants in shallow waters this year, they cannot prevent boats once they are en route.
"We have reached an agreement with the French to adjust their operational methods," Healey noted, emphasizing the need for closer collaboration to implement these changes.
He also mentioned to the BBC, "The focus is on convincing the French to enhance their intervention capabilities in shallow waters, which they currently do not exercise."
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