Record 230 migrants cross Channel to UK in single small boat

A record 230 migrants arrived in the UK aboard a single small boat after crossing the English Channel in the early hours of August 10.

The latest arrival surpasses the previous record of 165 people, which was set just last month, Caliber.Az reports, citing Sky News.

The new crossing brings the number of people known to have arrived in the UK via small boats this year to more than 15,000.

According to figures available as of August 9, 15,049 people had crossed the Channel in 224 boats.

Despite the record number carried by a single vessel, the overall number of small-boat arrivals is 42% lower than during the same period in 2025.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described the latest crossing as further evidence of what he called a national security emergency.

"It's yet more proof that this illegal invasion is a national security emergency."

A Home Office spokesperson said the incident highlighted the methods used by criminal gangs facilitating Channel crossings.

"This latest incident demonstrates the reckless and dangerous tactics employed by the criminal gangs facilitating these crossings, who continue to put lives at risk by cramming ever greater numbers of people onto unseaworthy vessels," the spokesperson noted.

The Home Office later said that 15,472 migrants had crossed the Channel on 229 small boats so far this year.

The figure includes the 230 people aboard the vessel that reached the UK early Monday, with the final total for the day expected to be confirmed Tuesday.

The latest figures come after Andy Burnham became prime minister on July 20, with authorities continuing to publish daily figures for Channel arrivals under his government.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov