On 24 November 2021, an inflatable dinghy carrying migrants from France to the United Kingdom capsized in the English Channel causing the deaths of 31 of the 33 people on board.

[2] In the past many migrants illegally boarded lorries which used the Channel Tunnel, but as port security has tightened more have tried to cross in small inflatable boats.

[4] On 24 November 2021, an inflatable dinghy, carrying 30 migrants across the English Channel from France to the UK, capsized whilst still in French territorial waters near Calais and Dunkirk.

On the other hand, boats from HM Coastguard at Dover and the British Border Force's vessel BF Hurricane arrived on the scene around 45 minutes later.

[14][15] This was confirmed by the numerous records of the telephone calls and the testimonies of the victims' relatives[16] and in November 2022, by elements from the French official enquiry.

"Around 440 people appear to have been left adrift after the coastguard sent no rescue vessels to 19 reported boats carrying migrants in UK waters, according to an analysis of internal records and marine data seen by the Observer and Liberty Investigates.

"[20] Meanwhile, an investigation by The Independent found that "It took the UK and French coastguards 12 hours to respond following the first mayday call, with the authorities arguing over who was responsible.

[28] Natalie Elphicke, the MP for Dover, criticised the actions of the French authorities as "playing us for fools" after French police were seen watching a group of at least 40 migrants, including at least 5 children, gathering on the beach near Wimereux with a large inflatable boat, and staying in their car and taking no action, whilst the group took to the sea en route to the UK.

"[37] The International Organization for Migration stated that this incident was the biggest single loss of life in the English Channel since it began collecting data in 2014.