In one day, more than 900 people arrive in small boats

More than 900 people crossed the English Channel in small boats on Saturday – the highest daily total so far this year.

According to the Interior Ministry, 973 migrants arrived in 17 boats, bringing the total number for the year to 26,612 people in 503 boats.

The crossings took place the same day, French authorities said four people, including a two-year-old boy, had died as he attempted to cross the Channel to reach Britain.

The Interior Ministry has previously said it is making progress in its bid to end dangerous small boat crossings, “which threaten lives and undermine our border security”.

The previous highest daily total of 2024 arrivals amounted to 882 people as of June 18.

Although there were no recorded crossings in the first three days of October, 395 migrants arrived in Britain on Friday after the journey.

The total number of arrivals so far in 2024 is now higher than at the same point last year, when 25,330 migrants had reached the UK.

But it is still much lower than at the same point in the year in 2022, when 33,586 people had crossed.

On Saturday, French authorities said the four people who died while attempting to cross the Channel were likely “trampled to death” in two separate boats with engine failure.

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said the deaths were a “terrible tragedy”, adding that people smugglers “have the blood of these people on their hands”.

British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the deaths were “appalling” and that “criminal smuggling gangs continue to organize these dangerous boat crossings.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said earlier he was “absolutely determined” to tackle the smuggling gangs who facilitate the crossing, but he did not want to commit to a time frame.