English Channel migrants overpower French authorities in bold morning dash for UK
The French coastline has witnessed remarkable scenes as a hundred migrants overpowered authorities as their boats were slashed.
The Dunkirk coastline in France witnessed a remarkable scene last week as around a hundred migrants, determined to reach the UK, overpowered French authorities as they scurried for England-bound small boats.
In one video, a French officer attempted to thwart the voyage of one of the fleet’s many boats by slashing its inflatable hulls.
The move was shown to cause chaos among the passengers, mostly young men, as their means of transit rapidly deflated, leaving them stranded and screaming in anger.
The situation is the latest spotfire in an ongoing challenge of irregular migration across the English Channel.
UK government figures revealed that as of last week, 6265 individuals had crossed the Channel in small boats since the beginning of 2024, marking a continued trend from previous years.
In 2023, 29,437 people made the desperate journey, a significant decrease from the 2022 total of 45,755, which had been the highest recorded since data collection began in 2018.
Since then, nearly 120,000 individuals have arrived in the UK via this route.
In the first quarter of 2024, approximately 40 per cent of arrivals were from Vietnam and Afghanistan, with 1266 Vietnamese nationals and 1216 Afghans making the journey between January and April.
Afghans constituted the largest nationality crossing the Channel in 2023, accounting for a fifth of all arrivals, followed by Iranians (13 per cent) and Turkish nationals (11 per cent).
The majority of those arriving by small boats in 2023 were male, with nearly a fifth falling between the ages of 25 and 39.
The perilous journey has claimed lives with estimates from the International Organisation for Migration claiming at least 72 migrants have drowned in the English Channel since 2018, underscoring the risks involved in these crossings.
Crisis witnessed first-hand
Last week, reporters from The Sun witnessed the unfolding crisis along the French coastline.
Local paramilitary police officers resorted to firing tear gas in a desperate attempt to thwart the migrants, but their efforts ultimately proved futile. Even when authorities managed to slash the inflatable hull of one boat, another quickly arrived, allowing migrants to mockingly wave at officers as they commenced their journey to England.
French police described the situation as “an impossible task”, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of boats operating like a “taxi service” to Southern England.
Migrants were observed hiding in dunes near Calais, waiting for their chance to embark.
Despite efforts by law enforcement, some migrants were thrown into the sea by smugglers to expedite the process.
One French officer told The Sun reporters how people smugglers are so confident of making the trip to Britain they have even started leaving in the afternoon.
“The migrants are now prepared to travel at any time of the day, depending on the weather,” he said.
“They live in Dunkirk and Calais and come to Gravelines the night before and sleep in the forest. They are always excited to leave.
“On Tuesday afternoon they took the boat into the canal and went out to the Channel.”
Marco Longhi, a UK Tory party MP, last week said: “French President Emmanuel Macron needs to get a grip on his police officers who are patrolling the beaches and put more effort into stopping the boats. “By evading the police, these migrants are getting on board often unseaworthy boats at huge expense and risking their lives.”
Violence in ‘the Jungle’
Reports from The Sun tapped into the violence in the makeshift camp near the coast known as “the Jungle”, where many migrants reside before attempting the Channel crossing.
Instances of gunbattles between rival smuggling groups underscore the dangers faced by migrants, with some paying exorbitant sums ($A19,000) for what they believed to be a “VIP service”.
Earlier this month, a tragic incident in Wimereux resulted in the deaths of five migrants, including a seven-year-old girl, highlighting the deadly consequences of these journeys.
Police said around 50 of 112 people aboard fell into the sea, with some pinned below the boat’s hull.
Two 22-year-old men have been charged with immigration offences as part of an investigation into the deaths of the migrants, the National Crime Agency said.
UK’s plan as backlogs build
As the backlog of asylum claims in the UK continues to grow, reaching over 128,000, the government has sought alternative measures to address the issue.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government has championed a plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda to deter further arrivals via the English Channel.
The controversial Rwanda bill, approved by parliament last week, allows for the processing of asylum claims in Rwanda for those deemed to have entered the UK “illegally” from safe countries such as France.
Under the plan, asylum seekers could be granted refugee status in Rwanda or seek asylum in another “safe third country,” effectively closing off the option to return to the UK.
The government hopes that such measures will dissuade migrants from embarking on dangerous journeys across the Channel.
British PM’s $12k Swiftie blunder
The UK Prime Minster has paid back nearly $12,000 worth of gifts, including Taylor Swift concert tickets, following a row over donations.
Read more
UK politician’s wild Aussie ciggie rant
Far-right UK leader has gone on a wild rant about the cost of cigarettes in Australia while complaining about his country’s plan to ban smoking from pub gardens.
Read more
‘Sinister influence’ behind UK madness
The UK is in turmoil as violent riots spread like wildfire – and sick details have emerged about how the “powder keg” was really lit.
Read more