Teen denies record English Channel migrant dinghy crossing
A teenager who allegedly endangered the lives of more than 160 migrants by piloting a record-breaking boat crossing across the English Channel will be tried.
Chan Mathok Atak, 19, originally from Sudan, had previously appeared in the Margate Magistrates’ Court, where he refused to endanger lives at sea during the attempt, which set out from France last Thursday.
He appeared with the help of an Arabic translator and, when asked how he wanted to defend himself, denied piloting the boat.
Atak was later taken into custody and will appear at Canterbury Crown Court on 24 August.
Prosecutor Lucie Fish told the court that on Thursday a rigid-hulled inflatable boat set off from the French coast towards Dover to transport migrants.
The ship was stopped by Border Forces and Atak was claimed to be one of the two people who controlled the speed and course of the ship.
The prosecutor added that the boat was of poor quality, overcrowded and “appeared to deflate upon intervention.”
Photos taken by Border Security Command towing the boat to Dover showed that it was 13 m (42 ft) long, about the same size as a standard bus.
Endangerment at sea is a new offense created by the government under Sir Keir Starmer to target people who allegedly steer small boats on the English Channel.
In June they became the first two people to be jailed for the crime, each sentenced to more than two years in prison.
The previous record was 128 people arriving on a single ship.
Home Office figures show that although the total number of arrivals this year is down by around 45% compared to 2025, the number of migrants per boat has increased.
Follow BBC Kent Facebook, external, X, externalAnd instagram, externaland listen to BBC Radio Kent on sounds. Send your story ideas to: southtoday@bbc.co.uk, external or you can WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.
