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More than 1,200 migrants have crossed the Channel in four days as three more boats head for Britain today

Migrants crowded onto a dinghy off the French coast as a man was heard shouting 'I'll kill you' while brandishing a knife during the desperate scramble for places.
Migrants crowded onto a dinghy off the French coast as a man was heard shouting 'I'll kill you' while brandishing a knife during the desperate scramble for places.

At least 78 migrants were picked up off Dover by Border Force vessel Defender before 6am on Sunday, with Border Force vessel Volunteer already carrying two more dinghy-loads and three further dinghies under French escort — meaning up to six boats could reach British waters today alone. The surge follows a 21-day pause caused by rough seas, with 934 migrants in 12 boats arriving Thursday and Friday before further crossings on Saturday pushed the four-day total beyond 1,200.

Footage from Friday's crossing shows a man wading to a dinghy holding a knife, shouting 'I will kill you' at those already aboard.

Migrants were filmed throwing punches and brawling to cram onto an overcrowded dinghy that nearly capsized before it left the French shore.

Tory critics said the surge proved Labour 'lost control of Britain's borders'; the government argues 2026's overall crossing total remains below 2025's figure.

MoreDaily Mail NewsNearly 1200 small-boat migrants arrive over three days after three-week pause in Channel crossingsThe SunFootage shows migrants fighting on dinghy 24 hours after knifeman threatened to kill pilot - as 1,000 hit UK in two days - The Sunexpress.co.ukAndy Burnham humiliated as almost 1,000 migrants cross the Channel in just two days - Daily ExpressGB NewsMore than 1,200 migrants cross Channel in four days as at least three more boats set off for Britain today
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