In Pictures: Risking the Channel 'death route' to Britain

The number of migrants crossing the English Channel - which is 33,8 km (21 miles) at the closest point in the Straits of Dover - in small inflatable boats has spiralled over the summer of the 2020.

More and more people are attempting the risky passage. | Migrants carry a boat before embarking, on the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk, northern France.

Smugglers walk back after embarking migrants on a boat on the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk.

Just 33 kilometres (21 miles) separate the French coast from the white cliffs of Dover, visible on a clear day, but the crossing is one of the world's busiest - and most dangerous.

According to authorities in northern France, some 6,200 migrants have attempted the crossing between January 1 and August 31, 2020, compared with 2,294 migrants for the whole of 2019.

French Police patrol in the early morning on the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk, northern France.

A French Police officer patrol early morning the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk.

French Police officers patrol early morning the beach of Gravelines, near Dunkirk, northern France.

French Police officers patrol early morning the beach of Gravelines.

Smugglers walk back after embarking migrants on boat on the beach of Gravelines northern France.