The satisfaction of the French and British governments at the decrease of 35% in Channel crossings in 2023 was short-lived. Since the beginning of 2024, the number of migrants making the dangerous journey across the English Channel on small boats has been on the rise. More than 4,600 people have already reached England in 2024, with 514 people arriving on just one day in March. Additionally, at least ten people have died at sea in 2024, according to figures from the Nord prefecture. This increase in crossings marks a return to the levels seen in 2022, when a record number of over 45,000 people arrived in England by small boats.
The decrease in crossings in 2023 was attributed to successful law enforcement efforts in preventing departures and dismantling smuggling networks by French authorities. Additionally, the near absence of Albanians among the passengers on small boats, following an agreement between London and Tirana, also contributed to the decline. In 2022, nearly 13,000 Albanians had reached the UK by sea. The increase in crossings again in 2024 has brought back concerns of safety and the risk of accidents, with boats now more overloaded than in previous years, increasing the chances of a tragedy at sea.
Among the migrants reaching the UK by small boats in 2024, Afghans are the most represented, followed by Iranians and Vietnamese. These three nationalities make up almost half of the passengers on these boats, which are now more overcrowded compared to previous years. On average, 46 people are boarding these boats, increasing the risks of accidents. In addition to the crossings by small boats, there has been a resurgence in attempts to cross in trucks. While most boat departures are concentrated between Dunkirk and Boulogne-sur-Mer, there has been an increase in intrusions in ports like Ouistreham and Cherbourg, as well as a new phenomenon of boats being launched by smugglers inland.
Authorities in France are working tirelessly to combat this issue, claiming to have thwarted 69% of attempted maritime crossings. Police have noted a new trend of more violent behavior among some smugglers, with recurring refusals to cooperate during vehicle interceptions or the use of violence during thwarted crossing attempts on beaches. Efforts are being made both in the water and on land to prevent migrants from risking their lives in dangerous crossings and to dismantle smuggling networks that profit from their desperation. The situation remains complex and challenging, with the safety and well-being of migrants at the forefront of concerns for both French and British authorities.
