The number of people on board breaks a previous record from August, when 106 migrants crossed to the UK on what was dubbed a “mega dinghy” by media. It is part of Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to “smash the gangs” that smuggle migrants to the UK and deter people from making the journey. A child reportedly died off the French coast on Sunday morning while attempting to cross the Channel in a small boat. It also said 48 migrants were cared for by emergency services but the boat carried on across the Channel. The incident happened south of the Neufchatel-Hardelot beaches between Boulogne and Le Touquet.
