Several children wearing life-jackets were among a group of migrants seen arriving on the shores of Dover, Kent, as improved weather conditions led to calmer crossings of the English Channel. Footage captured on Friday shows multiple individuals disembarking from small boats, highlighting ongoing migration activity despite seasonal fluctuations.

In one clip recorded by the Press Association, a tense moment unfolds as a man wades through waist-deep water holding a knife while approaching a boat. A man aboard the vessel attempts to strike him with a boot. The man in the water appears to discard the knife into the sea before boarding the boat. Voices can be heard shouting threats, including "I will kill you," as French rescue vessels remain nearby, monitoring the situation.

The continued flow of migrants arriving in small boats comes amid generally lower crossing numbers during the late autumn and winter months. According to data from the UK Home Office, the total number of Channel crossings recorded so far in 2026 stands at 21,869 as of Friday. With just over two months remaining in the year, this suggests that the annual total for 2026 is unlikely to exceed last year’s figure.

The new arrivals included several young children, underscoring concerns about the vulnerability of migrants making the journey across the Channel. Migrants often wear life-jackets for safety during the crossing, which can be perilous given unpredictable sea conditions.

The situation remains closely watched by authorities in both the UK and France, who coordinate rescue efforts and enforcement measures in response to the irregular migration via small boats. While adverse weather typically reduces the number of attempts, recent calmer conditions have allowed more crossings to take place, prolonging the challenges associated with Channel migration in this busy maritime corridor.