Record 592 risk Channel in single day
NEARLY 600 migrants tried to cross the English Channel on Thursday – a new daily record.
Home Office figures show at least 592 were rescued or intercepted on the same day a 27-year-old Eritrean man lost his life trying to reach Britain.
He died when he jumped off a sinking boat. A manslaughter investigation is under way in France. Despite the tragedy, the Home Office said, 25 more people reached the UK on one boat on Friday.
Thursday’s number eclipsed the previous record of 482 on August 4.
Lisa Doyle, of the Refugee Council, said: “The Government needs to recognise that while there is war, persecution and violence, people will be forced to take dangerous journeys to seek safety.”