French authorities reported that 6,310 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel to the UK were rescued in 2024, marking a 30% increase from the previous year. However, the number of deaths also reached a record high, with at least 72 people confirmed dead and three missing, according to maritime officials from the northern French region of Pas-de-Calais.
Xavier Delrieu, a French official leading efforts against migrant smuggling, provided an even higher estimate, stating that 78 people lost their lives last year—the highest toll since small boat crossings surged in 2018. Both French and British governments have pledged to crack down on human smugglers, who charge migrants thousands of euros for perilous crossings in overcrowded dinghies.
According to the latest report, smugglers have been increasing the number of passengers per boat. While boats carried an average of 45 people in 2023, that number rose to 54 in 2024. This overcrowding has led to a rise in deaths from asphyxiation due to crushing. Additionally, some migrants are now boarding further south along the French coast, resulting in longer journeys and greater exposure to harsh weather conditions.
The report highlighted that the most dangerous moments occur during boarding or when migrants attempt to return to the shore. Many wade into freezing waters to board unstable vessels, increasing their risk of hypothermia, drowning, or suffocation. Despite these dangers, many migrants only call for help as a last resort, often fearing interception and deportation.
Meanwhile, migrant rights groups argue that tighter security measures are pushing migrants to take more extreme risks. As authorities intensify patrols, crossings have become even more hazardous. With the French government preparing to introduce new immigration legislation in early 2025, the debate over migrant safety and border control remains as pressing as ever.