{"id":197390,"date":"2026-07-26T08:53:14","date_gmt":"2026-07-26T14:23:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=197390"},"modified":"2026-07-26T08:53:14","modified_gmt":"2026-07-26T14:23:14","slug":"teenager-charged-over-record-channel-crossing-on-mega-dinghy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newslink360.space\/?p=197390","title":{"rendered":"Teenager charged over record Channel crossing on ‘mega dinghy’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A teenager charged over a small boat Channel crossing was allegedly piloting a “mega dinghy” carrying a record 165 migrants from France to England, the National Crime Agency has said.<\/b><\/p>\n

Sudanese national Chan Mathok Atak, 19, is accused of endangering another during a journey by sea to the UK on Thursday<\/a> and is due to appear at Margate Magistrates’ Court on Monday.<\/p>\n

The number on the dinghy broke the previous record from July, when 128 crossed the Channel from France on one vessel.<\/p>\n

According to Home Office figures, more than 13,000 arrivals have been recorded in 2026, which is 45% lower than this time in 2025 and down 18% on the same period in 2024.<\/p>\n

Border Security Command was pictured towing a dinghy – estimated to be about the same size as a standard bus at 13m (42ft) long – when it arrived in Dover in Kent on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n

Home Office figures showed 366 people arrived after crossing in three boats on Thursday during warm, sunny weather and calm conditions at sea.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, 172 people made the journey in three boats, bringing an end to an 11-day hiatus because of windy conditions in the Channel.<\/p>\n

Refugee charity Care4Calais said the crossing route was becoming “more and more dangerous” because of the increasing number of people in each boat.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n