Over 1,100 migrants crossed Channel on Saturday: UK govt data

Over 1,100 migrants crossed Channel on Saturday: UK govt data
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A record 1,194 migrants crossed the English Channel into the UK on Saturday, the highest daily total for 2025, Arab News reported. This surge brings the total crossings this year to 14,808, breaking previous records for the first five months and surpassing the 12,900 crossings recorded in the first half of 2024. French coastal authorities rescued nearly 200 migrants over the weekend amid several boat incidents, including one where the motor failed on a vessel carrying 61 people.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey called the crossings “shocking” and lamented Britain’s loss of border control. The UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has recently implemented tougher immigration policies aimed at curbing irregular migration, including extended settlement periods and stronger deportation powers. Despite agreements with France to intercept migrants in shallow waters, challenges persist in stopping boats once they are underway. The situation remains a significant political and humanitarian issue for both countries.