Paris, France – French authorities rescued more than 6,000 migrants attempting to cross the English Channel in small boats last year, while 25 people died and two remain missing, according to the annual report released Friday by the maritime prefecture for the Channel and the North Sea (PREMAR).
The report underscores the continuing dangers of the perilous journey, which has become a defining humanitarian and political challenge for both France and Britain.
Rising Numbers Despite Risks
France has long served as a launchpad for migrants hoping to reach Britain in search of better opportunities. Despite the risks, attempts to cross the Channel in flimsy craft have “not slowed down,” PREMAR noted.
- Nearly 50,000 people aboard 795 boats attempted the crossing in 2025.
- 6,177 migrants were rescued by French authorities.
- 25 deaths were officially recorded, though an AFP tally based on French and British sources places the total at at least 29.
Smugglers Increasing Risks
The report warned that smugglers are exposing migrants to ever greater dangers. The average number of people per boat has surged:
- 26 per boat in 2021
- 63 per boat in 2025
- In 2025, 10 boats carried more than 100 people each.
Authorities also highlighted the continued use of “taxi boats” vessels that leave shore nearly empty before picking up dozens of migrants wading into shallow waters.
UK Arrivals
On the British side, authorities recorded 41,472 small-boat arrivals in 2025, the second-highest total after the record 45,774 arrivals in 2022.
The figures come as Britain’s centre-left Labour government faces mounting pressure from the anti-immigration hard right to curb arrivals, intensifying the political debate over migration policy.
Conclusion
The PREMAR report paints a sobering picture of the ongoing migrant crisis in the Channel. With smugglers adapting tactics and overcrowding boats, the risks to human life remain high. As France and Britain grapple with political and humanitarian pressures, the challenge of balancing border control with the protection of vulnerable migrants continues to dominate the agenda.
