FLASH NEWS
French police cut open a dinghy carrying migrants bound for England, putting the lives of around 100 people at risk
2025-07-04 23:10:30 / BOTA
Dozens of migrants trying to cross the English Channel to the United Kingdom with the help of smugglers were stopped by French police on a beach south of the city of Boulogne.
According to the BBC, traffickers used dinghies to pick up people from various points along the coast.
Two large groups of migrants, most wearing life jackets, emerged from nearby sand dunes and ran towards the sea to board the boat. It is thought there were between 80 and 100 people on the beach.
@bbcnews The BBC witnessed dramatic scenes on a beach in Northern France this morning when a boat was destroyed by police moments before it set off for the UK. All those onboard clambered to safety as the boat collapsed. French police have strict rules that prevent them from going into the sea, but officers are allowed to intervene, if they believe lives are at immediate risk. #France #Migrants #UK #MigrantBoat #Refugees #NorthernFrance #News #BBCNews ♬ original sound – BBC News
The first smugglers' boat, sailing about 100 meters from the shore, was already full and did not stop to take on more people. A second boat arrived shortly afterwards, almost empty, accompanied by a French coast guard vessel that was further out to sea.
The migrants, holding hands, headed for the boat under the guidance of a person coordinating the operation. When the raft turned and began to move back near the shore, dozens of people fell into waist-deep water, trying to get on board.
At first, police refused to intervene and remained on shore monitoring the situation. An official told the BBC that they were not allowed to enter the water except in the event of a rescue.
But the situation worsened when the dinghy, filled with men, women and children, was rocked dangerously by the waves and the engine failed. One of the policemen ordered his colleagues to enter the water, as the passengers were in danger.
They removed the heavy equipment and used knives to break the raft, while the smugglers tried to fix the engine. Amidst the noise and tension, the passengers were rescued and reached the shore unharmed.
Shortly after, police pulled the damaged raft ashore. The migrants gathered the belongings they had left behind on the beach and began moving inland to return to the northern structures.
French authorities stressed that the rules remain the same and there has been no change in tactics against illegal crossing attempts, despite pressure from Britain for tougher measures.
The British Prime Minister's spokesman described the dinghy's wreck as a "significant moment" and said the British government welcomed the move.
Happening now...
83 mandates are not immunity for Rama's friends
Nga Gentian Gaba
ideas
top
Alfa recipes
TRENDING 
services
- POLICE129
- STREET POLICE126
- AMBULANCE112
- FIREFIGHTER128