Record number of migrants cross Channel in 'mega-dinghy'
230 people were in the boat which arrived in Dover early this morning (Monday 10 August)
A record 230 migrants have arrived in the UK on a single boat after crossing the English Channel on Monday.
Reports suggest the so-called 'mega-dinghy' left from France overnight and landed in Dover in the early hours.
The number breaks the previous record from July when 165 people successfully made the crossing.
People smugglers have been increasing the number of migrants crammed into boats in recent months.
A dinghy carrying 173 people capsized in the English Channel after its engine caught fire earlier this month.
Some 258 migrants arrived in the UK in four boats on Saturday, according to Home Office figures.
But the number of overall arrivals for 2026 has dropped compared with last year.
The provisional total for the year so far is 14,819 – 43% lower than the number recorded by this time last year and down 16% on the same period in 2024.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “This latest incident demonstrates the reckless and dangerous tactics employed by the criminal gangs facilitating these crossings, who continue to put lives at risk by cramming ever greater numbers of people onto unseaworthy vessels.
“We are making progress, with the number of small boat crossings down this year and the lowest number recorded for the month of July since 2020.
“But we must go further, which is why we have signed a payment-by-results deal with the French to put 40% more boots on the ground on French beaches.”