Nearly 300 migrants, including children, made the dangerous Channel crossing from France to the UK on Wednesday.
The group was rescued by UK authorities and brought to Dover, where they were seen arriving in coats and hats to protect against the cold. This was the first crossing since Sunday, when 122 migrants arrived. Overall, 33,973 people have made the journey this year, compared to just over 29,000 in 2023. However, 72 people have died in the attempt, according to the French interior ministry.
Additionally, French maritime authorities rescued 85 migrants on Wednesday from two boats in distress. One boat carrying 80 people hit a sandbank, and five others were saved from another boat in the Wimereux region. All were returned to Boulogne-sur-Mer.
The use of dinghies for illegal crossings has increased since 2019, with authorities in France, the UK and other countries working to disrupt smuggling networks. On Wednesday, German police raided a suspected criminal network involved in migrant smuggling.
