A boat carrying 125 people crossed the Channel on Saturday, according to reports, making it the largest number of migrants recorded as making the journey in a single vessel.
The number of people on board breaks a previous record from August, when 106 migrants crossed to the UK, which was dubbed a “mega dinghy” by media.
It comes after reports that a teenager died off the coast of France while attempting to cross the Channel in a small boat.
Two women also died attempting to cross the Channel in a separate incident off the northern coast of France on Saturday, bringing the number of deaths from crossing attempts this year to at least 27.
According to the Nord Littoral website, an investigation was launched into the latest death, which happened at about 6.30am on Sunday at Ecault beach, in Saint-Etienne-au-Mont.
The deaths of the two women, reported to be from Somalia, happened after about 100 people had left northern France for the UK in a makeshift boat overnight on Friday into Saturday, French media said.
Around 60 people were rescued from the overnight incident and a couple and their child with moderate hypothermia were taken to a hospital in Boulogne, the reports said.
Last year, 50 people died while trying to cross the Channel, according to incidents recorded by the French coastguard, in what is considered the deadliest year since the crisis unfolded.
The International Organisation for Migration has also reported several more migrant deaths believed to be linked to crossing attempts in 2024 and this year.
The number of migrant arrivals on small boats has topped 33,000 in 2025 so far, marking a record for this point in the year since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018.
Saturday saw 895 people arrive in 12 boats.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “These small boats crossings are utterly unacceptable and the vile people smugglers behind them are wreaking havoc on our borders.
“Thanks to our deal with France, people crossing in small boats can be detained and the first removals have now begun.
“Protecting the UK border is my priority as Home Secretary and I will explore all options to restore order to our immigration system.”
Several people have been removed to France under the UK Government’s “one in, one out” deal.
It is part of Sir Keir Starmer’s efforts to “smash the gangs” that smuggle migrants to the UK and deter people from making the journey.
Additional reporting by the Press Association
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