Almost 300 people crossed the English Channel on the same day one person died.

Home Office figures published on Saturday show 292 people made the crossing in seven boats on Friday.

It comes after a migrant was confirmed to have died with another left in a critical condition.

They were among at least 66 people on the inflatable dinghy, which got into difficulty about five miles (8km) off the northern French coast, according to the coastguard.

The crossings were the first to take place in a fortnight, with the government last recording arrivals on 3 December, when 118 people entered the country.

Saturday’s figures bring the total number of people arriving via the English Channel this year to 29,382, compared with 45,195 people last year on this date.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Home Secretary James Cleverly described the death as a “horrific reminder of the people smugglers’ brutality”.

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“25,000 people have been averted from crossing this year – but we must and will do more,” he added.

“My thanks to all those involved in the rescue. Every boat stopped is a potential life saved.”

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The rescue happened off the coast near Grand-Fort Philippe, 12 miles (20km) east of Calais.

Rescuers reached the inflatable dinghy at about 1am local time on Friday and found one of the boat’s tubes was deflated and people were in the water.

One in a life-threatening condition was airlifted to hospital by helicopter, while a second person could not be revived.

Government minister Andrew Griffith said the latest tragedy underlined why the crossing was “not a safe route” and why Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was “cracking down on the terrible trade of people traffickers”.

Labour chair Anneliese Dodds said the “absolutely awful, heartbreaking news” showed “there needs to be far more done to break up those criminal people-smuggling gangs.”

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said: “This is yet another terrible and avoidable tragedy.

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“These appalling deaths are becoming too common and there is an urgent need to put in place safe routes so people don’t have to take dangerous journeys across the world’s busiest shipping lane,” Mr Solomon added.

“People flee persecution and violence out of desperation, to find safety and protect their families.

“The government must take action now and respond in a compassionate way to prevent future tragedies and protect human life.”

Mr Sunak has made tackling small boat crossings a key priority.

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