A boat carrying migrants crosses the English Channel, April 5, 2023. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

However, the number of illegal migrants reaching the southeast coast of England last year was 29,500, the second highest one-year figure since 2018.

The English Channel is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes. Controlling the influx of illegal migrants via this route is a problem for Britain’s ruling Conservative Party. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised last year to prevent ships carrying illegal migrants from docking in the UK.

Crossing the channel on a small boat carries substantial risks, as evidenced by the number of tragic incidents that have claimed many lives. In November 2021, 27 people drowned when their boat capsized while attempting to cross the channel.