Dinghy with 230 migrants crammed on ‘originally had 260 before nearly sinking’… as 3k arrive in Burnham’s first 22 days

SOME 260 migrants crammed onto the “mega-dinghy” as it left French shores – but 30 were flung into the Channel as the vessel nearly sunk. Despite this, a record-breaking 230 passengers reached the UK – bringing the total crossings to more than 3,000 since Andy Burnham became PM. Some 260 migrants crammed onto the ‘mega-dinghy’ as it left French shores Credit: Station SNSM Berck sur Mer/FACEBOOK Authorities had to rescue thirty from the water as the flimsy boat hit huge waves Credit: Station SNSM Berck sur Mer/FACEBOOK The 49ft craft carried more passengers than an average EasyJet flight – and cost British taxpayers an estimated £25million. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp declared it a “full-blown Burnham borders crisis” as arrivals in the PM’s first 22 days reached 3,003. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! As the numbers continue to soar, the under-fire Prime Minister today promised to “change tactics” to tackle the gangs behind the crossings. Onlookers have since described the shocking scenes as the packed vessel attempted to embark on the perilous journey on Sunday afternoon. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp declared it a ‘full-blown Burnham borders crisis’ Credit: Getty The record-breaking 230 figure smashes the record for the most migrants on one boat Credit: Station SNSM Berck sur Mer/FACEBOOK Passengers had all been hiding in sand dunes after paying people smugglers for the journey, before boarding the so-called “mega-dinghy”. Members of the SNSM, the French equivalent of the RNLI, described how hundreds boarded from a beach between Berck-sur-Mer and Merlimont. The flimsy boat, designed to carry a maximum of 40 people, was then battered by choppy waters as it entered the English Channel. As the overloaded boat hit the waves, it sent dozens of migrants flying into the sea – forcing gormless French cops into action. Most read in The Sun A photo released by SNSM shows dozens of young men floundering in the Channel shortly after 5pm. Issuing a statement, the group said: “A veritable tide then rushed the approximately 15-meter (49ft) inflatable boat. “Due to overloading, several people were thrown from the vessel – around thirty ended up in the water as the craft continued on its way.” An SNSM boat tracked the “mega-dinghy” from 5.15pm until 7.45pm, along with two French rescue boats. Passengers had all been hiding in sand dunes after paying people smugglers for the journey Credit: Station SNSM Berck sur Mer/FACEBOOK The flimsy boat is designed to carry a maximum of 40 people Credit: Station SNSM Berck sur Mer/FACEBOOK Its statement continued: “The mass movement during boarding posed a major risk, especially given that many of those present could not swim. “With the rising tide, part of the group quickly became cut off. “Gendarmes and firefighters intervened to bring these individuals to safety. “Coordinating all the deployed resources helped avert a tragedy during this particularly dangerous phase.” Gendarmes watched on as the China-made PVC boat began to buckle in the sea, but still managed to reach open waters. Mr Philp slammed the hapless French authorities for “standing around and doing nothing”, despite receiving more than £1billion from Britain. And Reform UK leader Nigel Farage branded the record crossing further proof of a “national security emergency”. Mr Farage said: “At 2.30am this morning a boat carrying 230 people was taken into Dover. This is a record number in a single vessel. Nigel Farage branded the record crossing further proof of a ‘national security emergency’ Credit: Alamy Larger vessels are increasingly being used as careless smugglers attempt to boost their profits Credit: AP “It’s yet more proof that this illegal invasion is a national security emergency.” The mega-dinghy was eventually escorted to Dover, arriving at 2.30am today, by the UK Border Force, HM Coastguard and RNLI crews. Larger vessels are increasingly being used as careless smugglers attempt to boost their profits. Prime Minister Andy Burnham today vowed to “keep going at this issue”, despite previously insisting his “plan is working”. He told GB News: “People will say to me, ‘we don’t want any crossings’. I understand that concern. “There are further things that we are doing and we will keep going at this issue until we deliver that eradication that people are looking for. “It would be wrong, I think, for me to make a prediction now based on a timeline.” The record-breaking 230 figure smashes the record for the most migrants on one boat — beating the 165 total set just last month. Last week, 173 people were packed on to a single boat, but it disintegrated off the French coast after catching fire. The Egyptian people smuggler who piloted the boat has since been sentenced to a year in prison. The 25-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was beginning his sentence in France on Saturday. It follows a fast-track trial held on Friday for “facilitating the illegal entry, movement, or stay of foreign nationals in France”. A judge ruled that these acts were committed “under circumstances directly exposing the foreign nationals to an immediate risk of death”. Such crimes are punishable by up to five years behind bars and a £26,000 fine. The man was told he would be deported from France after serving his sentence, while his mobile phone was confiscated permanently. He continually denied any wrongdoing, arguing that he was a legitimate asylum seeker who wanted to settle in the UK. Smugglers are said to have charged at least £1000-a-head for a place on the boat, ensuring a massive profit. At least 15 UK-bound migrants have died in the Channel this year, either by drowning or suffocating in a small boat because of overcrowding. Three women and a man were found dead on the beaches close to Calais the week before last. The worst tragedy of this kind came in November 2021, when 27 migrants died after a dinghy sank while heading to the UK.