On Saturday, more than 800 migrants crossed the English Channel in small boats, marking the highest number in a single day so far in 2023. According to provisional government data, 872 individuals crossed on 15 small vessels, averaging around 58 people per boat.
This brings the total number of arrivals by small boats in 2023 to a provisional total of 20,973. While this year’s total is still lower than at the same time last year when 25,000 people had already made the journey, it is a significant increase compared to recent months.
The previous high for 2023 was 756 people on August 10. However, the record high for a single day since current records began in 2018 remains at 1,295 on August 22, 2022.
In August, the average number of migrants crossing the Channel per boat hit a new monthly high, with 5,369 people making the journey in 102 boats, averaging around 53 migrants per vessel. This was the highest monthly average since records began in 2018.
Total arrivals in the UK by this route last year were 45,774, according to the latest available Home Office data.
