LONDON, Oct 6, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A record 973 migrants crossed the Channel on small boats on the same day in which four died while attempting the journey from France to England, UK Home Office figures showed Sunday.

The figure for Saturday is the highest single-day number of migrants making the cross-Channel journey this year, surpassing the previous high of 882 set on June 18. 

On the same day, a two-year-old boy and three adults died after overloaded boats got into trouble during the dangerous crossing attempted by several thousand every year.

The tragedies bring the number of migrants killed attempting Channel crossings this year to 51, according to Jacques Billant, France's prefect for the Pas-de-Calais region. 

Over 26,600 migrants have crossed the Channel on small boats in 2024 according to UK Home Office figures.

The deaths on Saturday were likely caused due to the victims being crushed in overloaded dinghies, according to authorities and prosecutors.

UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Saturday that it was "appalling that more lives have been lost in the Channel". 

"Criminal smuggler gangs continue to organise these dangerous boat crossings," she wrote on X.

"The gangs do not care if people live or die -- this is a terrible trade in lives."

Keir Starmer's new Labour government has been at pains to reduce cross-Channel arrivals in small boats, a key issue in this year's general election in July.

The government has repeatedly pledged to "smash the gangs" of people smugglers who organise the perilous journeys.