STRAIT OF DOVER – Dozens of people in two rubber dinghies reached the southern coast of England on May 4, the latest among thousands of asylum-seeking migrants to make the risky sea crossing from France in 2024.

Bobbing on the waves of the English Channel on a clear morning, the boats sailed across the narrow strip of sea separating France and Britain, with a French naval vessel following them until they reached English waters.

Their largely male passengers, some of whom were in orange life jackets and waving, were taken aboard a British Border Force vessel off Dover.

The arrivals illustrate the difficulties British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faces on his pledge to tackle illegal migration and “stop the boats”, ahead of a national election expected later in 2024.

More than 8,000 people have arrived so far in 2024 on small boats, with many fleeing war or famine and travelling through Europe to Britain, making the start of 2024 a record for such arrivals.

Mr Sunak hopes his flagship Rwanda policy to deport those arriving in Britain without permission to the African nation will deter people from making the Channel crossing.

Five people died in the attempt in April.

The government hopes to operate the first flights to Rwanda in nine to 11 weeks.

“The unacceptable number of people who continue to cross the Channel demonstrates exactly why we must get flights to Rwanda off the ground as soon as possible,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Home Office said.

“We continue to work closely with French police who are facing increasing violence and disruption on their beaches as they work tirelessly to prevent these dangerous, illegal and unnecessary journeys.” REUTERS