一艘充气艇周一早间载运创纪录的230人抵达英国，成功穿越英吉利海峡[1]。这次事件反映出法国北部的人口贩运集团正在调整策略，转而使用更大型的船只以规避英法执法部门的拦截[1]。
根据记录，今年迄今已有9艘大型充气艇成功穿越海峡[1]。过去的几次跨越中，7月12日一艘载128人的充气艇抵达英国，7月23日另一艘载165人的充气艇也成功抵英[1]。然而，这种冒险的做法并非总是成功——上周一艘载173人的充气艇因引擎起火而翻覆，造成11人轻伤和3人需要送院治疗[1]。相比之下，去年8月和9月分别仅有106人和125人在单艘充气艇上穿越海峡[1]。
尽管大型充气艇的使用频率在增加，今年跨越海峡的总人数与去年同期相比实际下降超过40%[1]。为应对走私问题，英国与法国于2025年7月宣布启动"一进一出"协议[1]，英国政府与德国也达成了协议，旨在增加对传统充气艇和引擎的上游截获[1]。此外，法国计划在海滩部署增加40%的人力[1]。
A dinghy carrying a record 230 people reached the UK early Monday, marking a significant shift in trafficking tactics across the English Channel.[1] The arrival underscores how smuggling networks operating in northern France are adapting to enforcement pressures by deploying larger inflatable boats, known as "mega-dinghies," to move greater numbers of migrants in single crossings.[1]
The trend reflects a stark contrast with overall crossing patterns this year. While the total number of people crossing the Channel has fallen more than 40 percent compared to the same period last year, the use of large-capacity dinghies has increased substantially.[1] Nine such mega-dinghies have successfully completed the journey across the Channel so far this year, with previous notable crossings including a 165-person vessel on July 23 and a 128-person boat on July 12.[1] By comparison, last August and September saw single dinghies carry 106 and 125 people respectively, indicating the accelerating scale of these operations.[1]
Safety risks accompanying this expansion were illustrated last week when a 173-person dinghy capsized, injuring 11 people lightly and requiring hospital treatment for three others.[1] Authorities have begun responding to the shift in smuggling methods. The UK and France announced a "one in, one out" agreement in July 2025, while the UK has also reached an accord with Germany to increase upstream interception of traditional dinghies and engines.[1] Additionally, France plans to deploy 40 percent more personnel on beaches as part of enhanced enforcement efforts.[1]