A group of migrants attempted an unusually long Channel crossing on Monday, departing from France's west coast rather than the typical route near Calais. The black dinghy set off from a beach near Saint-Quentin-en-Tourmont, escorted by two French vessels as it made its way to sea.
The longer route comes after three people died during small boat crossings over the weekend. Usually migrants depart from areas closer to Calais, which makes the journey to Dover considerably shorter.
Weekend deaths prompt route change
According to local media, a teenager and two women died trying to make the crossing over the weekend. The two women, reported to be from Somalia, are thought to have died after about 100 people had left northern France for the UK in a makeshift boat overnight on Friday into Saturday.
The investigation into the teenager's death continues, with reports indicating the death occurred early on Sunday at Ecault beach in Saint-Etienne-au-Mont.
Monday's attempted crossings
Early on Monday, a group of men and teenagers wearing coats, blankets and orange life vests were seen walking hurriedly through the streets of Gravelines, near Calais. French Police Nationale waited nearby with riot shields and tear gas canisters.
However, no small boats launched from Gravelines beach on Monday despite the preparations.
Record crossing numbers
The number of migrant arrivals on small boats has topped 33,000 in 2025 so far, marking a record for this point in the year since data on Channel crossings was first reported in 2018. On Saturday and Sunday combined, 1,298 people arrived in 19 boats.
In 2024, small boat crossings made up four per cent of overall immigration to the UK, but more than 80 per cent of unauthorised arrivals.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
