Most migrant arrivals by small boat in single day of 2026
A total of 781 migrants arrived in 10 small boats on Wednesday, the highest number for a single day so far this year, Home Office figures show.
So far this year 18,565 people have made the Channel crossing, which is 42% lower than the same period in 2025 when 32,188 had crossed in small boats.
The government said its "progress this year in tackling small boats is indisputable" but it needed to "push further and harder in order to eradicate this vile trade".
French authorities reported on Thursday that a man had died after having a cardiac arrest while people attempted to board a vessel at a beach south of Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Wednesday's figures include a dinghy carrying 51 people which departed from Normandy, much further west than small boats typically set off, on Monday morning and spent more than 33 hours at sea .
About 150 people crossed from France in three small boats on both Monday and Tuesday. This followed five days with no crossings at all.
Wednesday's figure was the highest daily total since 803 people arrived on 20 December 2025.
The highest total in one day in recent years was on 3 September 2022, when 1,305 migrants made the crossing.
Crossings are more common during warmer weather and when there are calmer sea conditions, with the highest monthly totals typically between June and September.
The English Channel is one of the most dangerous and busiest shipping lanes in the world.
Tap the questions below How many people cross the English Channel in small boats? Between 1 January and 23 September 2026, a total of 18,565 people crossed the English Channel by small boat from France. This was down by 42% on the same period the previous year.
These crossings have become the most common way for people to be detected entering the UK illegally since 2020.
Nearly all those who arrive by small boat claim asylum. Under international law, this means they are allowed to stay in the country while their asylum application is considered.
Small boat arrivals made up 40% of asylum applications between July 2025 to June 2026.
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