More than 25,000 illegal immigrants have arrived on British shores since the start of 2024, which with – so far – 46 deaths is proving a particularly deadly year for those attempting the perilous crossing of the English Channel in makeshift boats.

According to official figures from the British Home Office released today (Monday 23/9) more than 1,400 left France and sailed across the Channel on Saturday and Sunday, raising to 25,052 the total departures since January.

The figure represents a 4% increase compared to the same period last year, but is 21% lower than that recorded during the same period in 2022, when a record 45,000 illegal immigrants arrived in the UK via the Channel.

The tragedies have followed one another since early summer, a time when the number of attempts to cross the Channel generally soars. At least 46 people have lost their lives since January this year, by far the deadliest year on record, compared with 12 in 2023.

According to British authorities, smugglers are loading these makeshift floats with more and more people, with 52 on board on average compared to 13 in 2020.

Reducing migration flows, legal and illegal, was a priority for the Conservative government until July. The Labour government that followed it, allegedly, shares this goal, but claims a more “humane policy.”

After coming to power in July, Prime Minister Keir Starmer abandoned the previous plan to send to Rwanda asylum seekers arriving in Britain illegally. He has, however, promised to step up the fight against smuggling gangs.

A few weeks after his arrival in Downing Street, Starmer was faced with significant anti-immigrant riots in England and Northern Ireland.

On a visit to Rome last week, Starmer praised the immigration policies of his Italian right-wing colleague Georgia Meloni, prompting criticism in his own political party.