A migrant has tragically died following a medical emergency aboard a small boat attempting to cross the English Channel, marking another sombre chapter in the ongoing crisis in the waters between the UK and France.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) confirmed it had launched its all-weather lifeboat early on Friday morning, after receiving reports of an incident involving a migrant vessel in distress. A number of individuals were subsequently brought ashore to Dover by a Border Force patrol boat.
A blue forensics tent was visible outside the Dover Lifeboat Station, where emergency services continued to work throughout the day. The exact number of people aboard the vessel has not yet been confirmed.
In a statement, Kent Police said: “Kent Police was called at 8.26am on Friday 18 April 2025 after a Border Force patrol responded to a medical emergency on a small boat in the English Channel. A man has since been pronounced deceased.
“Officers have launched an investigation to establish the circumstances leading to the man’s death. The priority remains to establish the man’s identity in order to notify his family. Officers are currently at Dover Lifeboat Station while initial inquiries are under way.”
The UK Government also responded, expressing condolences and acknowledging the efforts of those involved in the response. A spokesperson said: “This morning, Border Force responded to a medical emergency on board a small boat entering UK waters. It is with regret that we can confirm one individual has died, and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones.
“Investigations are ongoing and it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time, but we want to thank those who responded to this incident and who continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and protect lives at sea.”
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency confirmed that HM Coastguard had dispatched Border Force vessels, RNLI lifeboats, and a search-and-rescue helicopter in response to the small boats activity in the Channel. “People were recovered to the UK,” they added.
This incident comes just days after more than 700 migrants successfully crossed the Channel on Tuesday, marking the highest daily total so far this year. According to provisional Home Office figures, 705 people made the journey in 12 boats — surpassing the previous record set just days earlier, when 656 people crossed in 11 boats.
While Tuesday’s number is significantly lower than the all-time record of 1,305 arrivals in a single day set on 3 September 2022, it signals a concerning surge in activity. As of this week, the cumulative total of migrant crossings in 2025 has reached a provisional figure of 8,888.
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This represents a 42% increase on the same point last year, when the figure stood at 6,265, and an 81% rise compared to 2023, when 4,899 people had made the crossing by mid-April.
Indeed, more arrivals have been recorded in the first four months of 2025 than during the same period in any previous year since records began in 2018 — placing further pressure on the UK Government’s pledge to “smash the gangs” responsible for people-smuggling.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have both reiterated the Government’s commitment to tackling the crisis and preventing further loss of life. Yet Friday’s death will no doubt raise fresh questions about the effectiveness and humanity of current policies, and the dangers faced by those who attempt the perilous journey.
As investigations continue, authorities remain focused on identifying the deceased and understanding the precise circumstances of the tragedy. The Channel crossing continues to be a flashpoint of political debate, human suffering, and international concern.
