Hundreds of individuals have crossed the English Channel in small boats, marking a significant influx on a day marred by tragedy, with one person losing their life and another sustaining serious

injuries off the French coast.

According to the Home Office, a total of 292 migrants made the journey to the UK on Friday, using seven different boats. This marks the first documented arrivals since December 3rd when 118 individuals undertook the crossing.

The cumulative count for this year has now reached 29,382 people, in contrast to last year's figure of 45,774 migrants who made similar journeys via small boats.

The situation took a tragic turn on Friday as over 60 individuals were aboard a boat that experienced difficulties approximately 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the French coastline, leading to partial deflation, as reported by the French coastguard. Unfortunately, one person lost their life, while another was rushed to a Calais hospital in critical condition.

The French coastguard conducted a rescue operation, commencing with the first group of individuals being retrieved from the water at 01:15 local time (00:15 GMT). Within an hour, a total of 66 people were rescued during this French-led mission.

This incident follows a series of tragic events earlier this year, including an August incident where at least six people died after a migrant-carrying boat sank off the French coast. Similarly, in November 2021, a staggering 27 migrants lost their lives when a dinghy sank en route from France to the UK, marking the highest recorded fatalities in a single incident.

Reacting to the recent events, Home Secretary James Cleverly expressed his concern, stating on X, "The incident in the Channel last night is a horrific reminder of the people smugglers' brutality. While 25,000 people have been prevented from crossing this year, we acknowledge the need for further action and remain committed to doing more." Photo by Uk2108, Wikimedia commons.