When trying to cross the English Channel from France with small boats to the United Kingdom, yesterday 86 refugees were picked up. The British news agency Press Association (PA) reported, citing the Interior Ministry, that it was men, women and probably minors.
86 people in one day were a record number. The strait is one of the world’s busiest sea routes.
A total of four boats were intercepted when they tried to reach the British coast, the immigration authorities said, according to PA. Two other groups had even managed to land on the beach before they were arrested. The Ministry of the Interior has said that it is working with the French authorities at all levels to „combat this dangerous and illegal action“.
In August, British Interior Minister Priti Patel and her French colleague Christophe Castaner had agreed to step up joint measures to reduce crossings of small boats. According to the British Ministry of Interior, from January to the end of August, 65 refugees who had arrived in small boats were deported to European countries.
