Mega dinghy with record 230 migrants spotted in Channel_t

A mega dinghy carrying 230 people has been detected in the Channel, prompting fears the crisis is intensifying.

It is the first time more than 200 people have been crammed into a boat launched by people smugglers from France.

And it follows an emergency in the Channel last week, in which 173 people were rescued from a vessel that caught fire.

Smuggling gangs have spread out towards Dieppe in a bid to avoid police patrols in Calais and Dunkirk.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “This latest incident demonstrates the reckless and dangerous tactics employed by the criminal gangs facilitating these crossings, who continue to put lives at risk by cramming ever greater numbers of people onto unseaworthy vessels.

“We are making progress, with the number of small boat crossings down this year and the lowest number recorded for the month of July since 2020.

“But we must go further, which is why we have signed a payment-by-results deal with the French to put 40% more boots on the ground on French beaches.”

The Daily Express became the first UK news organisation to witness the moment a British vessel – BSC Contender – brought migrants back to France after being detected in the Channel last week.

The vessel is believed to have been in the water for 18 hours, after leaving Dieppe before picking up migrants from multiple beaches.

A maritime security source said: “Quite frankly, it’s miraculous that no one has died”.

There were so many people on board the latest mega dinghy that some of the migrants asked to get off within two hours.

“Five people had initially asked to be rescued, because the boat was in such a bad way,” said the prefecture spokesman.

“The rest told rescuers they wanted to continue, and this was permitted. Then, later in the morning, the engine caught fire.”

Those onboard then jumped into the water and the boat capsized.

It is thought that a fuel leak from the outboard motor caused the blaze, causing mass panic on board.