Migrants wrapped in blankets have been brought ashore in Dover, Kent, after making the perilous journey across the English Channel in wintry conditions.
Third Day of Consecutive Arrivals
Images from Monday, 19 January 2026, show groups of people wearing lifejackets and multiple layers of clothing disembarking from a Border Force vessel. This landing represents the third day in a row of small boat activity.
According to official statistics from the Home Office, a total of 455 people arrived over the weekend. This figure is broken down into 317 individuals in five boats on Saturday, followed by 138 people in two boats on Sunday.
Annual Figures and Annual Comparisons
The latest arrivals bring the provisional total for the 2026 calendar year to 658 people. This number is 26% lower than the total recorded at the same point in 2025. However, it represents a 6% increase compared to the equivalent stage in 2024.
The context for these daily crossings is set by the annual totals from previous years. Home Office data confirms that 41,472 migrants crossed the Channel to reach the UK in 2025. This makes it the second-highest annual figure on record.
The record year remains 2022, with 45,774 arrivals.
The Start of 2026 Crossings
The first reported crossings of the new year occurred on 5 January 2026. On that day, 32 people successfully made the journey in a single boat, despite facing bitterly cold temperatures in the Channel.
The continued crossings, particularly during the harsh winter months, highlight the ongoing challenges faced by authorities and the persistent risks taken by those attempting the voyage.
