Channel Chaos: Migrant Crossings Skyrocket in 2023
More than 45,000 migrants have braved the dangerous waters from France to England so far this year – up from just 28,500 in 2021. The perilous journey turned deadly on December 14 when a migrant boat capsized, killing four and forcing the rescue of 39 others.
Sunak Declares Small Boat Crisis Top Priority
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has slammed the escalating Channel crossings as a crisis his government will tackle head-on. Officials confirmed that 90 migrants arriving on Sunday were processed at Dover’s Western Jet Foil centre.
“Nobody should put their lives in danger by embarking on dangerous and illegal journeys,” a government spokesperson warned. “We will go even further to combat the gangs that are driving this, using every tool at our disposal to deter illegal migration and disrupt the business model of people smugglers.”
New Measures Target People Smugglers
- 700 new staff to join a dedicated small boat monitoring unit
- Increased personnel to tackle the UK’s asylum case backlog by end of 2024
- Crackdown on organised smuggling gangs across the Channel
Sunak’s latest crackdown signals a firmer stance as the UK battles growing migrant numbers and tragic crossings that put lives at risk every day.
