Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Illegal Channel crossings reach new single-day record; favourable weather likely reason

1,295 migrants travelled from France to the UK in 27 small boats, surpassing the previous 24-hour record of 1,185

Illegal Channel crossings reach new single-day record; favourable weather likely reason

The number of migrants crossing the English Channel to British shores reached a record single-day high this week bringing the spotlight back on the UK’s deportation plans.

The Ministry of Defence said 1,295 migrants crossed the Channel from northern France in 27 small boats on Monday, surpassing the previous 24-hour record of 1,185 registered on November 11 last year.

There would be a usual surge in the number of crossings during summers but Monday’s record was attributed to favourable weather conditions.

With this, the number of migrants making dangerous journeys along the busy shipping route reached 6,273 in August so far, the second highest for a month after last November’s figure of 6,878.

The illegal movement of migrants across the Channel has been a bone of contention between the UK and France as they have blamed each other for not doing enough to check the crossings.

Some 22,670 people illegally crossed the Channel this year, bringing the number closer to the full-year figure of 28,526 recorded in 2021.

According to a Home Office estimate, 60,000 to 65,000 migrants could arrive in the UK by the sea route by the end of the calendar year - more than double the 28,526 who crossed last year.

Lucy Moreton, a professional officer with the ISU union, said the migrants crossing the Channel were mainly Albanians and noted that security staff were facing increasing violence.

“That tends to go with the nationalities,” she told The Telegraph.

“There are a lot of young males. A lot of prison tattoos and prison haircuts. I have had two staff attacked in the last week and three bitten, bruised but no skin broken,” Moreton said.

Britain inked a deal with Rwanda in April this year, under which tens of thousands of migrants who arrived on UK shores illegally would be sent to the east African country.

However, the first planned deportation flight in June was blocked by a last-minute intervention by the European Court of Human Rights.

A legal challenge to the Rwanda policy brought by human rights groups will be heard by London's High Court next month.

More For You

Indian American doctor struck off register over human trafficking

The medical license has been permanently revoked for illegally recruiting and harbouring two Indian women to be household servants for low pay. (Photo for representation: iStock)

Indian American doctor struck off register over human trafficking

THE medical license of an Indian American physician has been permanently revoked for illegally recruiting and harbouring two Indian women to be household servants for low pay.

Dr Harsha Sahni, who maintained a rheumatology practice in Colonia, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to conceal and harbour aliens and filing a false tax return last February.

Keep ReadingShow less
Daljit Nagra departs as chair of Royal Society of Literature

Daljit Nagra (Photo: RSL)

Daljit Nagra departs as chair of Royal Society of Literature


THE Royal Society of Literature (RSL) has announced the departure of Daljit Nagra, a well-known British Indian poet, as its chair at the conclusion of his four-year term.

Amid some frenzied UK media speculation over the leadership of the 204-year-old home for Britain’s literary talent, the charity also confirmed that its director will be stepping down at the end March. It comes in the wake of rows over freedom of speech and accusations that the RSL had failed to speak out in favour of some writers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Los-Angeles-wildfires-Getty

The fires have destroyed hundreds of homes in Pacific Palisades, a high-profile area known for its multimillion-dollar residences. (Photo: Getty Images)

Celebrities evacuate as Los Angeles wildfires destroy homes

CELEBRITIES including actors, musicians, and other public figures were among tens of thousands affected by deadly wildfires in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The entertainment industry has largely paused, with events such as a major awards show and a Pamela Anderson film premiere cancelled as firefighters combat flames driven by hurricane-force winds.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tirupati-temple

The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), which operates the temple, apologised for the incident and promised action against those responsible. (Photo: X/@TTDevasthanams)

Six dead in stampede at India's Tirupati temple

AT LEAST six people have died and 35 were injured in a stampede near the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh, authorities said on Thursday.

The incident occurred as thousands of devotees rushed to secure free passes to visit the temple, popularly known as Tirupati.

Keep ReadingShow less
People-smuggling-Getty

Last year, 36,816 people were detected making the crossing, a 25 per cent increase from 2023 and the second-highest annual total on record. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Sanctions to target people smugglers under new plan

THE GOVERNMENT has announced plans to impose economic sanctions on people smugglers in an effort to curb migrant crossings in small boats over the Channel.

The proposed measures, described as the world’s first “standalone sanctions regime” targeting people smugglers, aim to address the issue by sanctioning individuals and groups facilitating these dangerous journeys.

Keep ReadingShow less