Teen Charged Over Record Channel Migrant Dinghy Carrying 165 People

Nineteen‑year‑old Chan Mathok Atak, a South Sudanese national, has been charged with endangering lives after allegedly piloting a rigid‑hulled inflatable boat that carried a record 165 migrants across the English Channel from France to Dover. The 13‑metre vessel, described as the size of a standard bus, was intercepted by Border Force on Thursday and towed into Dover by Border Security Command.

Atak was remanded in custody and appeared at Margate Magistrates' Court, where he denied the charge and pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to appear at Canterbury Crown Court later in August. The prosecution highlighted that the boat was overcrowded and began to deflate during interception, constituting a new offence created under the UK government to target people‑smuggling operations.

Home Office data show overall migrant arrivals this year are down roughly 45 % compared with the previous year, but the average number of people per boat has risen sharply, reaching 70 in the last month. The case follows increasing concerns from charities and officials about the growing size of Channel crossings and the dangers posed by people‑smuggling gangs.