Nearly a thousand migrants cross the Channel after a child is ‘trampled to death’

A total of 973 migrants crossed the English Channel in 17 small boats on Saturday after four died off the French coast.

According to figures from the Ministry of the Interior, this would be the busiest day of the year for crossings so far: 882 people crossed on June 18.

Of the four who tragically died on Saturday, a two-year-old boy was “trampled to death,” French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said. More details about the incident are expected at a press conference in Calais later.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper posted on

“The gangs don’t care whether people live or die – this is a terrible trade in lives.”

This story is being updated.