French police used tear gas against migrants who were gathered on a beach near Calais early Tuesday morning as the UK government acknowledged the worsening migrant crisis in the English Channel. The migrants were trying to cross the Channel into England.
The incident occurred on Gravelines beach, where hundreds of migrants rushed toward a single dinghy floating just offshore. Despite tear gas fired by officers, several individuals entered the water and waited in waist-deep surf in an effort to board the boat, reports Sky News.
Some migrants, including a man on crutches who had to be carried, stood for nearly an hour in the surf before boarding.
Others were seen giving up under the tear gas clouds, raising their arms in surrender. Witnesses reported seeing a man running with a child while shouting “baby, baby” to warn others.
"Migration should be a key focus given the deteriorating situation in the Channel," a readout from Downing Street stated following a meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, reports the Independent.
The leaders are scheduled to hold a formal summit in July to discuss joint action in dealing with the migrant crisis.
Over 16,300 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far in 2025, marking a 43 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to UK government figures.
No 10 admitted the situation is getting worse and said efforts are underway to secure greater enforcement from French authorities. “Our work with the French has never been closer," a spokesman said. "We are the first government to have secured agreement from the French to review their laws so their border enforcement teams can intervene in shallow waters.”
After the dinghy launched with over 50 people aboard, it was seen returning to shore roughly 90 minutes later, perhaps to ferry more people. French officers did not confirm whether the use of tear gas would now be standard in such operations.
Some migrants left behind voiced frustration. A woman who missed the boat, believed to be Ethiopian, was seen sitting on the sand with friends. She said the crossing was dominated by men, leaving many women unable to board.
An Afghan migrant told reporters he sought to reach the UK for a better life because "the situation was bad" in his home country.
Downing Street emphasized that while there are “no quick fixes,” steps are being taken to disrupt human trafficking networks and to end what it described as the UK being a "soft touch" for smugglers.
The incident occurred on Gravelines beach, where hundreds of migrants rushed toward a single dinghy floating just offshore. Despite tear gas fired by officers, several individuals entered the water and waited in waist-deep surf in an effort to board the boat, reports Sky News.
Some migrants, including a man on crutches who had to be carried, stood for nearly an hour in the surf before boarding.
Others were seen giving up under the tear gas clouds, raising their arms in surrender. Witnesses reported seeing a man running with a child while shouting “baby, baby” to warn others.
"Migration should be a key focus given the deteriorating situation in the Channel," a readout from Downing Street stated following a meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, reports the Independent.
The leaders are scheduled to hold a formal summit in July to discuss joint action in dealing with the migrant crisis.
Over 16,300 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats so far in 2025, marking a 43 percent increase compared to the same period last year, according to UK government figures.
No 10 admitted the situation is getting worse and said efforts are underway to secure greater enforcement from French authorities. “Our work with the French has never been closer," a spokesman said. "We are the first government to have secured agreement from the French to review their laws so their border enforcement teams can intervene in shallow waters.”
After the dinghy launched with over 50 people aboard, it was seen returning to shore roughly 90 minutes later, perhaps to ferry more people. French officers did not confirm whether the use of tear gas would now be standard in such operations.
Some migrants left behind voiced frustration. A woman who missed the boat, believed to be Ethiopian, was seen sitting on the sand with friends. She said the crossing was dominated by men, leaving many women unable to board.
An Afghan migrant told reporters he sought to reach the UK for a better life because "the situation was bad" in his home country.
Downing Street emphasized that while there are “no quick fixes,” steps are being taken to disrupt human trafficking networks and to end what it described as the UK being a "soft touch" for smugglers.
