128 migrants crossed the Channel aboard the same boat, a record according to British press

A record number of 128 migrants arrived on England's coast aboard a single boat, marking a perilous journey across the English Channel. This single vessel carried more than half of the 225 migrants who reached England on Friday, according to British media reports.

The previous record for migrants on one boat was 125 people in September 2025. The UK Home Office, while not confirming the exact figure, acknowledged that smuggling networks are increasingly taking risks. A spokesperson stated that the number of people crammed into unseaworthy boats is rising annually.

Despite the record number on one vessel, overall migrant arrivals in the UK via the Channel decreased by 41% in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. A total of 12,439 migrants have arrived since January 1. The British government has a three-year agreement with French authorities, providing £662 million to fund beach patrols. Additionally, a new bill aims to reform the asylum and immigration system, deterring illegal immigration and expediting deportations.

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the smuggling networks are taking more risks than ever, the number of people they cram into unseaworthy boats increasing year on year.