At least 73 migrants have died trying to cross the English Channel to Britain this year, according to French authorities, making 2024 the deadliest year on record for the crossings.

A total of 36,816 migrants crossed the English Channel to the UK in 2024, provisional government figures show. The figure is up 25% on 2023 when 29,437 people arrived in small boats.

This latest incident comes as 2024 is named the deadliest year on record for small boat crossings along the perilous migration route.

The number of migrants arriving in the UK via the English Channel increased by 25% in 2024 compared to the previous year, the Home Office announced on Wednesday. A total of 36,816 people made the perilous journey by small boats in 2024, up from 29,437 in 2023, according to the data.

Three people have died attempting to cross the English Channel in a small boat on Sunday morning, the French coastguard says. People ended up in the water after trying to board a boat off the coast of Sangatte,