Migrants have reached the United Kingdom after crossing the English Channel for the first time in two weeks, as a short break in bad weather allowed small boats to set off again. The arrivals show that despite winter conditions, attempts to cross continue whenever the sea becomes calmer.
People wearing life jackets were seen getting off a Border Force boat in Ramsgate on Wednesday. Authorities brought them ashore after intercepting their vessel at sea. Reports suggested that several groups tried to cross once conditions improved.
Data from the UK Home Office shows that 74 migrants arrived on Tuesday. It was the first successful crossing since 9 February, when 322 people reached the UK. So far this month, about 597 migrants have made the journey across the Channel.
The crossings come as officials and campaigners remain concerned about safety risks. Small boats are often overcrowded and can struggle in cold waters, making the journey dangerous even in calmer weather.
Attention has also returned to past tragedies in the Channel. An independent inquiry into the deadliest crossing on record — when a small boat capsized in November 2021 — said more must be done to prevent similar disasters in the future.
The investigation, led by Sir Ross Cranston, found that 27 people died and four remain missing. The report highlighted systemic failures and missed chances to rescue those in distress, noting that some deaths might have been avoided.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, especially as weather patterns change. Experts say crossings often increase when sea conditions improve, even briefly, as migrants try to take advantage of safer windows.
Debate continues in the UK over how to manage migration while preventing dangerous journeys. For many migrants, however, the Channel remains a route they are willing to risk in hopes of reaching safety or new opportunities.