After Easter Sunday, more people came to England through the English Channel in small boats. There were 442 individuals, which is 43% more than last year. This increase in people crossing illegally is worrying.
During the Easter weekend, 791 migrants came across the Channel in 16 small boats. They wanted to find safety and stability in Britain. People from different countries took this dangerous journey. This rise in migrants is different from last year when fewer people made the journey. It shows that efforts to stop illegal crossings are not working well. Since the beginning of this year, 5,435 migrants have reached UK waters, which is a lot more than last year.
GB News showed a video of one small boat arriving on Easter Sunday. The video, filmed by a migrant on the boat, shows overcrowded dinghies navigating rough waters. It reflects the desperation and determination of those making these risky journeys.
Experts who know about the sea are angry about how criminals who smuggle people use dangerous weather to send boats across. But despite the risks, many people still go on these dangerous trips because they want a better life.
The English Channel is very dangerous for small boats, with strong winds and big waves that make it hard to navigate. Even before this recent increase, lifeboats were being used to help boats in trouble. Stephen Kinnock, who speaks for the Labour Party on immigration issues, criticized the government for not keeping their promise to stop illegal crossings.
The government says they’re working on stopping the reasons why people migrate illegally. They want to break up the groups that smuggle people and make borders more secure. They’re talking about setting up a special team to send people who come illegally back to where they came from.
The Home Office says they’re going to do more to stop illegal migration, like starting flights to Rwanda quickly. They say these actions, along with help from other countries and changing laws, are important to keep borders safe and save lives. But while people argue about what to do, migrants keep risking their lives to come to the UK. Each person has their own story, filled with hope and the desire for a better future.
