More than 600 migrants arrived in UK Thursday taking total number of entries to 29,716 for 2022

The number of migrants reaching the UK by crossing the English Channel is soaring after 617 people were intercepted on Thursday alone – including 38 who were found in the sea after their tiny dinghy sank during the journey.

In the nine months of 2022 so far, 29,716 migrants are known to have attempted the 21-mile crossing in 757 separate incidents. 

That figure is already more than the 28,526 who arrived on UK shores in 2021. In 2020 there were just 8,410.

Border Force vessels and RNLI lifeboats carried out rescues at sea throughout the day in 14 separate incidents. 

The majority were brought into the harbour at Dover, Kent, to be entered into the immigration system.

Weather conditions in the Channel deteriorated on Thursday and remain dangerous today, which is expected to prevent any further crossings for the next few days. 

But there are concerns that as the UK heads into autumn and winter the journey will become only more perilous.

Natalie Elphicke, MP for Dover, said she is ‘deeply concerned’ about the sheer number of arrivals.

‘It’s vital to see the small boats crisis brought to an end as the seas will become colder and rougher as we head into autumn and winter,’ she said.

‘Action is needed now to avoid further tragic loss of life on the English Channel.’

Last month, Government officials said it was remarkable there had not been any drownings or other serious incidents so far this year. 

The Coastguard confirmed there were no reported deaths on Thursday, despite the risk to the 38 migrants whose dinghy deflated during the journey.

A Coastguard search and rescue helicopter assisted and remained at the scene as  all passengers were rescued between 6.17am and 7.07am. 

The Dungeness lifeboat brought a separate group of about 40 people ashore on the pebble beach near Lydd on the Romney Marsh in Kent at 2pm.

The migrants arrived with blankets wrapped around their shoulders and wearing orange ponchos after battling cold and wet conditions at sea.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) data suggests there was an average of 44 people per boat during the latest crossings- with 617 people pulled ashore along with 14 boats.

But the data does not include any people who manage to avoid detection, or where  there have been reports of people making the crossing but no actual encounters with Border Force.  

A staggering 4,673 have been detained by Border Force so far this month alone.