A 19-year-old Sudanese national, Chan Mathok Atak, has been charged after allegedly piloting a "mega dinghy" carrying a record 165 migrants from France to England. He faces a charge of endangering another person and will appear at Margate Magistrates' Court. Home Office figures show arrivals in 2026 are down compared with previous years while removals and deportations have risen; charities warn the crossings are becoming increasingly dangerous as more people are crammed into each boat.
Teen Charged After 'Mega Dinghy' Carries Record 165 Migrants Across Channel
The dinghy was approximately the size of a standard bus [PA Media]
A 19-year-old Sudanese national, Chan Mathok Atak, has been charged after allegedly piloting a "mega dinghy" that carried a reported 165 migrants from France to England, the National Crime Agency said.
What Happened
Atak is accused of endangering another person during the sea crossing on Thursday and is due to appear at Margate Magistrates' Court on Monday. The figure of 165 aboard the single vessel surpasses the previous single-boat record of 128 set in July.
Numbers And Context
Border Security Command officers were pictured towing the dinghy into Dover, Kent. The vessel was estimated to be roughly the length of a standard bus — about 13m (42ft) long. According to Home Office figures, more than 13,000 arrivals have been recorded so far in 2026, a decline of 45% compared with the same point in 2025 and 18% compared with 2024.
On Thursday, Home Office data show 366 people arrived after crossing the Channel in three boats during calm conditions and warm weather. The previous day, three boats carried a total of 172 people, ending an 11‑day pause in crossings caused by windy conditions.
Official Response
"The Home Secretary has signed a landmark new deal with France to boost enforcement action on beaches and put people smugglers behind bars," a Home Office spokesperson said.
The Home Office added that joint work with France has stopped more than 44,000 attempted crossings since the election. It also said removals or deportations of people found to be in the UK illegally have reached almost 70,000 — an increase of 41% — and that removals of "small boat migrants" are at record levels while asylum claims are down 12%.
Charity Concerns And Migrant Background
Refugee charity Care4Calais warned the Channel route is becoming "more and more dangerous" as more people are packed into each boat. Many of those making the crossing come from extremely poor, oppressive or unstable regions; those intercepted by UK authorities typically register asylum claims after being taken into custody.
Next Steps
Atak will appear at Margate Magistrates' Court. The case highlights the ongoing tensions between enforcement efforts, humanitarian concerns and the risks migrants face when attempting crossings in overcrowded vessels.
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