Teen Charged Over 165-Migrant Channel Crossing, Breaking July's 128-Person Boat Record
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 26
Teen Charged Over 165-Migrant Channel Crossing, Breaking July's 128-Person Boat Record
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 26
Summary
Chan Mathok Atak, 19, is due in Margate Magistrates' Court on Monday after the NCA charged him with endangering another during Thursday's Channel crossing.
The agency said Atak was allegedly piloting a 13-meter "mega dinghy"—about the size of a standard bus—carrying 165 migrants from France to England, the highest count recorded on a single boat.
Home Office data showed 366 people arrived in three boats on Thursday, a day after 172 crossed in three boats when calmer weather ended an 11-day pause caused by strong winds.
More than 13,000 arrivals have been recorded in 2026, down 45% from the same point in 2025 and 18% from 2024, even as charities warn rising passenger loads are making the route more dangerous.
The Home Office said removals of small-boat migrants are at record levels, asylum claims are down 12%, and a new France deal has helped stop more than 44,000 attempted crossings since the election.