Government condemns smugglers after record 230 migrants arrive in single boat

The Government has condemned the “reckless and dangerous” tactics used by people smugglers after a record 230 migrants arrived after crossing the Channel to the UK in a single boat.

The number breaks the previous record from July when 165 people successfully made the crossing. The boat left France overnight, arriving in Dover in the early hours of Monday. A large deflated dinghy was pictured by the Press Association on the quayside at the Border Security Command compound in Dover. People smugglers have been increasing the number of migrants crammed into boats. A dinghy carrying 173 people headed for the UK capsized in the Channel after its engine caught fire earlier this month. A Home Office spokesperson said: “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. “We are making progress, with the number of small boat crossings down this year and the lowest number recorded for the month of July since 2020. “But we must go further, which is why we have signed a payment-by-results deal with the French to put 40% more boots on the ground on French beaches.” Responding on X, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “At 2.30am this morning a boat carrying 230 people was taken into Dover. “This is a record number in a single vessel. “It’s yet more proof that this illegal invasion is a national security emergency.” Some 258 migrants arrived in the UK in four boats on Saturday, according to Home Office figures. But the number of overall arrivals for 2026 has dropped compared with last year. The provisional total for the year so far is 14,819 – 43% lower than the number recorded by this time last year and down 16% on the same period in 2024.

Published: 10/08/2026 by Radio NewsHub