A total of 973 migrants in 17 boats crossed the English Channel on Saturday - the highest daily number this year.
The figure beats the previous record for 2024 - which was 882 people on 18 June. It comes as French authorities said four people died while attempting to cross the Channel on Saturday - including a two-year-old boy who was 'trampled to death'. Jacques Billant, prefect of Pas-de-Calais region, said the French coastguard had responded to a boat carrying almost 90 people which suffered engine failure. Fifteen people were transferred to a tow vessel, including the boy, who was unconscious.
' Yvette Cooper, the UK home secretary, replied to Mr Retailleau on the social media site, saying it was 'appalling' that more lives had been lost in the channel, 'including a young child'. 'Criminal smuggler gangs' do not care 'if people live or die', she added. In a second incident, a boat with 83 people on board also suffered engine failure. Three passengers - two men and a woman - were found unconscious at the bottom of the vessel, Mr Billant said.
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