Record 128 migrants arrive in England on single boat crossing English Channel

A record 128 migrants arrived in England on a single boat crossing the English Channel on Friday, a new high for a single vessel. In total, 225 migrants reached the UK on Friday, spread across three boats. This year, more than 12,000 people have already crossed the Channel in small boats, though this represents a 44 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2025.

The previous record for migrants on a single boat was 125. A spokesperson for the British Home Office stated that human trafficking networks are taking greater risks than ever before, leading to an increase in the number of people crammed onto unseaworthy vessels each year.

In April, the British government finalized a three-year agreement with French authorities, allocating 662 million pounds (5.8 billion Danish kroner) to finance patrols along the beaches of northern France. It is from these shores that the often unsuitable boats embark on their journey toward Britain.

According to the Home Office, Friday's figures underscore the necessity of these measures. "This crossing is a stark reminder that criminal networks do not care about the safety of the people they claim to help. The reality is clear: lives are lost in the English Channel because of their actions," a spokesperson said. "This is precisely why we have entered into a new agreement with France to prevent these perilous journeys by strengthening efforts on the beaches. This builds on the more than 45,000 attempted crossings that have been stopped since the election."