The number of migrants making the perilous crossing of the English Channel in makeshift boats to reach the United Kingdom has hit a new record high mark on Sunday — more than 40,000 — according to the British Ministry of Defense. Government figures show that 972 people crossed the English Channel in 22 small boats on Saturday, bringing the total since the start of the year to 40,885. Never have so many migrants — especially Albanians, Iranians and Afghans — made the dangerous crossing. During the whole of last year, 28,526 crossings were recorded, which was already a record then. These ris…