Channel migrant crossings hit 2026 record at 752

The British government said 752 migrants crossed the Channel in small boats on Wednesday, the highest daily total recorded so far in 2026.

The figure, released by the interior ministry on Thursday, broke the previous 2026 daily record of 710 arrivals set in June.

The issue of tens of thousands of irregular migrants arriving in small boats each year has troubled successive British governments and has fuelled support for Reform UK, the hard-right party led by Nigel Farage.

Interior ministry figures show the number of migrants crossing the Channel fell by 41% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period the previous year. Britain's ruling Labour Party says its policy of stronger law enforcement cooperation with European neighbours is working, while Reform says the drop was mainly due to adverse weather earlier in the year.

UK authorities have also begun criminally prosecuting migrants accused of helping navigate small boats. A teenager from South Sudan appeared in court in southeastern England earlier this year, accused of endangering lives by piloting an overcrowded dinghy carrying 167 people this month. He denied being in charge of the vessel.

Separately, French authorities said Thursday that four migrants died in two separate attempts to cross the Channel early Thursday and late Wednesday.