People smugglers overload boats and risk lives to boost profits after being forced to cut prices for Channel crossings

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People smugglers are risking lives by packing more migrants into already overloaded boats after being forced to cut prices for Channel crossings.

Criminal gangs operating the perilous journeys crammed an average of 47 people into each dinghy this year – compared to just 14 in 2020. So far this month, the average has risen to a record 55 migrants per boat.

It comes after increased competition between smugglers and a decline in the relative wealth of migrants making the journey meant prices have dropped from around £10,000 per crossing in 2020 to £3,000 this year.

The 'barbaric' traffickers also offer migrants the option of a lifejacket – for an extra £1,000.

MPs warned that the overcrowded boats meant another tragedy could be imminent, with a string of near disasters on packed vessels in recent weeks.

People smugglers are risking lives by packing more migrants into already overloaded boats after being forced to cut prices for Channel crossings (file photo)

Migrants cross the English Channel on a small boat on August 24, 2023

A source said: 'In a matter of years we've gone from an average of 12 to 20 people in each dinghy, to between 40 and 60 migrants in more rigid structures.

Prices are certainly dropping – they're less than 50 per cent of what they were. And because it's getting cheaper, they need to put more people in to make the same amount of money, which is risking migrants' lives.

'There was a limited pool of people who could afford a £10,000 journey.'

Dover MP Natalie Elphicke branded the people smugglers 'ruthless criminals'. She said: 'The people smugglers will stop at nothing to make money. They peddle a promise of a land of opportunity when in fact they trade in danger and death. They are brutal. They've been cramming more and more people into the boats making it even more dangerous.'