British authorities intercepted nearly 600 people attempting to cross the English Channel on Saturday, November 9. According to the UK Home Office, nine boats carrying 572 migrants were intercepted during the crossing.
The total number of migrants arriving in the UK this year has reached 32,691, which is 22% higher than the same period last year but 18% lower than during the same period in 2022.
According to the French coast guard, around 50 people have died attempting to cross the Channel this year. This number does not include several deaths recorded in recent weeks.
At the beginning of October, the UK recorded the highest daily number of migrant arrivals for 2024, with 973 people illegally crossing the Channel in small boats. The latest border crossings occurred after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer introduced a new initiative to target criminal groups involved in smuggling migrants across the Western Balkans.
