A migrant reportedly fleeing British police tried to cross the English Channel on a kayak, aiming to reach France. The individual, believed to be from Ukraine, was first spotted off the British coast by a passerby, prompting a search operation by a Dover lifeboat. As the man paddled towards France, he was eventually picked up by a survey vessel in French waters, according to a report by The Telegraph.
This incident follows a recent close call involving an overcrowded boat carrying 60 migrants that nearly sank in the Channel. On Sunday, the Ukrainian migrant was taken to Calais, where taped recordings captured the confusion of French and British coastguards as they attempted to understand his intentions. A Dover coastguard noted that the man seemed to be making a direct course for their vessel, suggesting he was seeking assistance. Maritime sources indicated the man was evading UK police, though the exact nature of his alleged offense remains unclear.
Recent data reveals that last week, 614 migrants successfully crossed the English Channel, bringing the total number of crossings this year to 20,433. This figure represents a 3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2023 and an 18 percent decrease from 2022. The highest number of crossings in a single day this year was recorded on June 18, when 882 migrants made the dangerous journey. The second highest occurred on August 11, with 703 arrivals.
The UK government continues to address the challenge of illegal crossings, which they argue are compromising border security and endangering lives. A Home Office spokesperson stated that efforts are underway to enhance border security, including the establishment of a new Border Security Command. This command will unify intelligence and enforcement agencies and will be empowered with new counter-terrorism-style powers. Hundreds of personnel will be deployed both within the UK and abroad to combat the criminal smuggling networks profiting from these perilous crossings.
In a related incident last week, reports surfaced of a female migrant who allegedly died after being thrown overboard in the Channel. This tragedy further underscores the risks faced by those attempting to cross the Channel in unsafe conditions.