Highlights: In the first quarter of 2024, 5,373 people illegally made the dangerous crossing from France to the United Kingdom. Seven migrants have died at sea and on a canal since the start of the year while trying to reach England. In 2023, the number of migrants who crossed the Channel illegally was down sharply compared to the record in 2022 (45,000). Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who arrived at 10 Downing Street a year and a half ago, has made the fight against irregular immigration one of his priorities.

The number of people who have attempted to reach the UK illegally by crossing the Channel has further increased. At the start of 2024, with 5,373 people in the first quarter, that’s 1,500…

Migrations: clandestine crossings of the Channel ever more numerous

The number of people who have attempted to reach the UK illegally by crossing the Channel has further increased. At the start of 2024, with 5,373 people in the first quarter, that is 1,500 more than over the same period last year. These crossings are particularly dangerous: seven people have died on this migratory route since the start of the year.

In the first quarter of 2024, 5,373 people crossed the Channel illegally, a record figure for the period. AP - Gareth Fuller

By: RFI Follow

In the first quarter of 2024, 5,373 people illegally made the dangerous crossing from France to the

Also read: United Kingdom

, compared to 3,793 in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 41.7%. In the month of March 2024 alone, the figure rose to 3,118 with a clear increase noted in recent days.

Sunday March 31, 442 people reached the English coast aboard nine boats, fragile inflatable boats often overloaded, and 349 were counted the day before.

Dangerous crossings with often dramatic outcomes. Seven migrants, including a seven-year-old girl and a 14-year-old teenager, have died at sea and on a canal since the start of the year while trying to reach England.

However, in 2023, the number of migrants who crossed the Channel illegally was down sharply compared to the record in 2022 (45,000). An assessment put forward by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who arrived at 10 Downing Street a year and a half ago. He has made the fight against irregular immigration one of his priorities, hammering home his promise to “stop the boats”.

Any increase in Channel crossings could therefore weaken the Conservatives a few months before the legislative elections where polls predict an overwhelming victory for the Labor opposition led by Keir Starmer. A poll published this weekend not only gives Labor a 19-point lead (an order of magnitude observed for months), but indicates that the Conservatives would fall below 100 MPs out of 650 in the House of Commons, compared to 348 Currently. Another study carried out among 18,000 people even raises the possibility of a Parliament which would have only 80 Tory deputies.

Currently being examined in Parliament, the government's controversial bill to expel migrants to Rwanda is encountering resistance from the upper house, that of the Lords, which wishes to soften this text.

Read alsoIn the United Kingdom, the cost of deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda is going badly

Migrations: clandestine crossings of the Channel ever more numerous

Migrations: clandestine crossings of the Channel ever more numerous

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