Channel crossings top 17,000 for the year so far
Some 444 people made the journey in eight boats on Wednesday, suggesting an average of around 56 people per vessel.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.More than 17,000 migrants have arrived in the UK so far this year after crossing the Channel, figures show.
Some 444 people made the journey in eight boats on Wednesday, suggesting an average of around 56 people per vessel.
This takes the provisional total for 2023 to date to 17,234, according to PA news agency analysis of Home Office data.
PA understands Border Force has been preparing for what it calls “red” days, when warm weather and calm seas are favourable for crossings – conditions which are expected to continue on the south coast into the weekend.
The crossings comes just days after at least six people died and dozens of others were rescued when a boat got into difficulty off the coast of Sangatte, northern France, on Saturday.
On Monday more than 100 people made the journey, meaning more than 500 have made the crossing in just two days so far this week.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – who has made stopping the boats one of his top five priorities ahead of next year’s likely general election – said on Tuesday that the current numbers of arrivals are “lower than they have been in previous years”, adding it is “the first time that has happened”.
While reiterating that he was “determined to fix this problem”, he also admitted there is a “long way to go”.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.