Dozens of migrants cross Channel as total arrivals creep towards 7,000
Dozens of migrants cross the Channel with total figure for arrivals this year creeping towards 7,000
- Dozens of migrants were pictured being rescued at the Port of Dover today
- It could be the largest group of arrivals since May 1, when 246 people
Dozens of migrants were pictured arriving in Dover this morning after crossing the English Channel – as the total number of people arriving by small boats so far this year is expected to pass 7,000.
Groups of asylum seekers in seven dinghies were picked up at sea by Border Force in the morning and early afternoon after making the dangerous 21 mile trip in hazy conditions.
The arrivals – which onlookers say included women and children – looks set to be the busiest day since May 1 when 246 migrants arrived in six boats
Officials are yet to confirm the figure but it is likely to bring the total figure for this month to over a thousand and take the yearly figure to above 7,000 mark.
The total of migrants making the dangerous voyage so far this month to 938 in 21 boats.
Dozens of migrants were pictured arriving in Dover this morning after crossing the English Channel
The group of migrants, which could be the largest since May 1, were brought to shore by Border Force Typhoon
Officials are yet to confirm the figure but it is likely to bring the total figure for this month to over a thousand
The number of asylum seekers who have made the crossing so far in 2023 is currently 6,884 in 163 boats – an average of 42 people in each inflatable.
The busiest day this year came on April 22 when 497 people reached British soil in a 24-hour period.
Last year saw a record 45,728 migrants cross the Channel – significantly more than 2021’s total of 28,526.
But officials have warned that as many as 80,000 migrants could enter the UK on small boats this year.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “The unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings is placing an unprecedented strain on our asylum system.
“Our priority is to stop this illegal trade, and our Small Boats Operational Command is working alongside our French partners and other agencies to disrupt the people smugglers.
“The government has gone further by introducing legislation which will ensure that those people arriving in the UK illegally are detained and promptly removed to their country of origin or a safe third country.”
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