A SYRIAN asylum seeker has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after a woman died on a small boat to Britain.
The 32-year-old, who has not been named, was cuffed after reaching Dover‘s shores with more than 90 others.
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A group of people thought to be migrants are brought in to the Border Security Command compound in Dover, Kent Credit: PA
Nearly 10,000 migrants have cross the English Channel so far this year Credit: LNP
The late migrant woman was found lifeless on the boat after it entered UK waters in the English Channel on Saturday.
She died despite receiving medical help, the Home Office said.
An investigating source said: “It is feared that she may have been crushed to death on the boat.”
The victim, who has not been named either, was declared dead shortly after 3pm on Saturday.
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The source added: “It is alleged that the male suspect was somehow responsible for the woman’s death.
“There were around 94 people on a small boat designed for no more than 15.”
Migrants have died by crushing in numerous cases where boats are overcrowded.
The vessel involved in the latest case had “not made any request for assistance while at sea,” said the source.
A Kent Police spokesman said the force was working to identify the victim, and to contact her next of kin.
A British Home Office spokesman said: “This latest tragedy underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings.
“We continue to work relentlessly with the French and our partners overseas to prevent these perilous journeys.”
The small boat on which the woman died was one of around half-a-dozen which attempted to cross from France to Britain over the weekend.
People smugglers were said to be taking advantage of a favourable weather window which included bright sunshine and still waters.
At least nine migrants have died on perilous cross-Channel migrant route from France since January.
There were 24 confirmed deaths in 2025 involving migrants trying to cross the Channel.
A total of 162 migrants are known to have died while making similar journeys between 2018 and 2025, either by drowning, or being crushed.
More than 710 people cross the Channel on 11 small boats last Monday – the highest number in a single day so far in 2026, bringing the total this year to 9,852.
In April, the UK and France confirmed a new three-year £662million deal to stop Channel migrants using new tactics, including interceptions of boats at sea.
New drones, two helicopters and a camera system to intercept people smugglers and illegal migrants will all be deployed.
As part of the deal, riot-trained police are also being sent to French beaches.
