Mega Dinghies and the Human Cost of Smuggling The recent record breaking migrant crossing from France to the UK, where 230 people were packed onto a single 15 metre long vessel, is a stark reminder of the desperation driving smuggling operations in the English Channel.
Behind this alarming trend lies a more nuanced reality: the efforts of law enforcement agencies and governments to disrupt supply chains and crack down on smuggling networks.
The French national sea rescue service has warned that there's "no limit" to the number of migrants people smugglers will put on a boat, highlighting the willingness of traffickers to sacrifice safety for profit.