Key facts
- A 19-year-old South Sudanese teenager, Chan Mathok Atak, denies piloting a dinghy carrying 167 migrants across the English Channel.
- The boat, a 42-ft rigid hulled inflatable, was intercepted by Border Force.
- Atak is charged with endangering lives at sea.
- The number of people on board set a new record for a single vessel crossing.
- Atak appeared at Margate Magistrates' Court and was remanded into custody.
A 19-year-old South Sudanese teenager, Chan Mathok Atak, has denied piloting a 'mega dinghy' carrying a record 167 people across the English Channel. Atak appeared at Margate Magistrates' Court, where he denied endangering lives at sea during the journey which departed the French coast on Thursday.
Prosecutor Lucie Fish told the court that the 42-ft rigid hulled inflatable boat was intercepted by Border Force. Atak is alleged to be one of two individuals controlling the vessel's speed and travel. The boat was described as being of poor quality, overcrowded, and appearing to deflate upon interception. The French lifeboat service called the situation 'alarming, unique and exceptional' due to the sheer number of people on board.
Atak, who was aided by an Arabic interpreter, stated, 'I wasn't the pilot' when asked to enter a plea. District Judge William Nelson remanded him into custody, with his next appearance scheduled for August 24 at Canterbury Crown Court. The crossing broke the previous record of 128 people in a single vessel. Refugee charity Care4Calais noted that such crossings are becoming increasingly dangerous due to the rising number of individuals per boat.