Hundreds of people crossed the English Channel on Saturday as people smugglers took advantage of good weather to deploy new tactics in a bid to stay one step ahead of French authorities. More than 30 people were crammed onto the tiny craft, with dozens more wading into chest-deep water in a bid to pile onboard too. At least 32 ran down the sands of the beach, close to Sangette, while images showed at least 36 people already on board. Three or four people were already onboard the black inflatable boat as they neared the beach and went into the shallows. An average of 47 people are aboard each boat which arrives in the UK this year, compared to just 14 in 2020.

Source: Daily Mail September 30, 2023 23:25 UTC